Mann on a mission... Kentstown resident walking the length of Ireland to raise money for SOSAD
A MAN who learned first hand the fragility of life after suffering a 'widow maker' heart attack at just 39 years of age is embarking on a 1,000km walking challenge to raise funds for SOSAD.
Gavin Mann, originally from England but now living in Brownstown, between Navan and Kentstown, has already undertaken 100km running challenges for the Irish Heart Foundation and now wants to push himself both mentally and physically by walking the length of Ireland, while raising funds for local mental health charity SOSAD.
The Ireland Way which starts in Castletownbere in West Cork and continues to Tipperary and right up the country finishes in Ballycastle, Co Antrim covering a distance of 1,002km. Gavin, who began the challenge on Saturday 3rd May, also aims to break the record by completing it in under 35 days.
“Altogether it is about 1,002km which averages about 29km a day but it is broken down into stages,” explained Gavin. “The first stage is 22km but it is in the mountains so it is a lot slower. Over 60 per cent is on roads where I hope to make up time then.”
The plan is to start a 7am or 8am each day, depending on the weather and the light and to keep walking until nightime. “I aim to be tucked up in my tent at 8pm. Sleep is very important”.
Some nights Gavin will be camping, some will be spent in a hostel or cheap hotel depending on where he is and availability and at weekends he will have a campervan to sleep in.
Gavin, who works for Securitas at Meta, Clonee explained that he wanted to not only do something for charity but also to push himself physically and mentally and came across Sli na hEireann, the 1,000km route covering the length of Ireland. He had already done two 100km February running challenges for the Irish Heart Foundation after suffering a life changing heart attack five years ago.
Gavin had believed himself to be fit and healthy was still playing international rugby sevens when one night in January 2020, he woke up unable to breathe and realised he was having a heart attack. He was living outside Nobber at the time.
“It was very traumatic, I woke up, it was a 100 per cent blockage and I was waiting 45 minutes for the ambulance. A first responder came with the defibrillator. I came back after four and a half minutes,” recalled Gavin.
He underwent keyhole surgery at the Mater Hospital and the entire traumatic episode brought it home to him how fragile life is.
Since then, Gavin has done two fundraisers for the Irish Heart Foundation and for his next fundraiser he wanted to do something that also challenged him personally and decided to do it for SOSAD, pointing out that nearly everyone has some sort of mental health issue at some stage in their lives and SOSAD is there for everyone over 16 no matter what that issue may be.
He emphasised that they are not government funded and also chosen them because of their recent financial situation.
“Every person can have some form of mental health issue. There is no criteria, it is known as a suicide prevention charity but if any person over the age of 16 has any mental health issue they can get in contact and they are there to provide a free service.
“I've met the people with SOSAD, they are lovely genuine people with the sole purpose of making a difference,” added Gavin.
To support Gavin, see the SOSAD website where donations can be made to Gavin's fundraiser. He has raised over €1,700 to date but has set himself a target of €10,000.
He will be posting photos from the journey and doing short video updates on social media when he finishes each stage. He will also be using the hiker app so anyone interested in following his progress can check in and see how far he is getting.