Becky Gilmour (26) from Banbridge undertook her first challenge after the loss of a close friend to suicide five years ago.
For her latest, she is travelling 1,000km (around 621 miles) across the island, starting at Lough Erne and travelling across the River Shannon, the Grand Canal and the Royal Canal twice.
With 850km completed, she is now approaching the finish line.
Becky said grief and periods where she was unwell drove her to launch a suicide and mental health awareness campaign.
Today’s News in 90 Seconds – May 6th
She then decided to take on the five-and-a-half month skating challenge along one of the longest defined coastal routes in the world.
The Wild Atlantic Way stretches 2,500km (1,553 miles) along Ireland’s west coast, stretching from Malin Head in Co Donegal to Kinsale in Co Cork.
Becky bought her first skateboard with her friend, who died five years ago, and used to skate around Portrush with him.
“It was something we enjoyed doing together, and [the challenge was] something positive that I could do in his memory,” she said.
“Social media was an important aspect of raising awareness along the route. I could share daily updates and show other people struggling with grief that they aren’t alone.”
One of the most poignant moments of her paddleboarding challenge so far came when she called into a pub in a small town and felt an atmosphere of profound sadness.
“It turned out that a young man had taken his own life a few weeks before, and it had caused devastation for many in the area,” Becky said.
“That was a reminder to me that mental health is an ongoing issue and people still aren’t getting the support or help that they need.”
Next, she plans to tackle a section of the River Nile, aiming to spread awareness of her campaign.
She will be trained by one of Africa’s most experienced whitewater kayakers, and she plans to document her trip on social media.
Having previously lived in Uganda, she plans to donate raised funds to the country’s Kiwoko Hospital, and in particular, its mental health unit.
“Kiwoko Hospital serves three districts in Uganda, and they struggle for funding for basic resources such as medication that mentally ill patients need,” she said.
Becky has been in touch with staff from the hospital, who told her the money she had raised to date would fund a mental health scheme for a year.
“It’s been rewarding to know just how far the money I’ve raised has travelled, and that’s what it’s all about,” she said.
Becky has just announced a collaboration with the influencer @themilkyrunner on Instagram, the youngest person to run the perimeter of Britain.
They will attempt to run as many laps of the Spire in Dublin as possible within 24 hours, a challenge she described as “tough but exciting”.
Reflecting on her Wild Atlantic Way adventure, Becky said one of the biggest takeaways was the sense of community she encountered in small towns and villages.
“I’m from Co Down, so I knew Ireland was a friendly place, but I was blown away by the kindness and help I got along the way, whether that was people cooking meals for me or giving me a bed to sleep in for the night to give me a break from camping. It was a life-changing experience,” she said.
“I realised that suicide affects so many people from the conversations I had. So many people ended up opening up to me about their loss.
“Talking to people about their heaviest trauma opened up my focus for the challenge to mental health in general, rather than focusing specifically on suicide.”
Becky’s challenge raised £15,000 for the Samaritans.
Becky’s mural in Bantry
With a background in mural painting, she decided to create pieces based on mental health in many of the counties she passed through.
“In Bantry in Co Cork, I painted a mural based on daisies because daisies are known to be resilient and grow back,” Becky said.
“I embedded the words ‘keep on’ into the mural, and people have contacted me to say it gives them a boost when they walk past it every day.”
Helplines: If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, click here for more information
