Community Rallies Together In Optimism

Community Rallies Together In Optimism - Photo: Mike Bardsley, Cobh Edition

A very positive initiative was started in Cobh this year with the launch of a project by Cobh Tidy Towns called “The Optimist” also known affectionately on facebook as “Timmy Optimisty”. This project was all started to create a good feeling and positive atmosphere in these challenging times. As Timmy grew in popularity he wanted to put this to good use so it was decided to run a competition to see which charity would be represented to sit in Timmy’s boat for a day.  

Breaking The Silence was voted by the people of Cobh as the winner of this competition and was represented by local lady Deborah Girasole on Sunday 6th May from 7am to 7pm at Super Valu, Ticknock, Cobh. Many locals came along to show their support to Deborah and Timmy and our thanks to Super Valu, Miriam Hally (Ballynoe Inn), Douglas Black, Toytown and and of course to Cobh Tidy Towns for their project “The Optimist”. Cobh Lions Club gave a very generous donation of €250 and the fundraising efforts totalled €1500. These funds will go entirely to the provision of free Suicide Intervention & Prevention training in our local community. Balloons were also released into the sky in memory of lost loved ones to Suicide at 6.30pm on the day.

Breaking The Silence is a Cobh based voluntary group that works to help create a Suicide Safer Community by connecting the person at risk of Suicide with life preserving resources.  For information on upcoming courses with Breaking The Silence please email breakingthesilencobh@gmail.com and to keep up to date with group activities you can find us on facebook by searching for ‘Breaking The Silence Cobh’.

Avril Quinn, PRO, 8th May 2012