On the longest night of the year, Mark from Dublin takes on an epic challenge to support Samaritans.
On Saturday, December 21st, Mark from Dublin is taking on an epic challenge to support Samaritans: “At 12.01am on December 21st, I’m starting a 100,000 Step Challenge, which I should finish at 8pm. I expect to walk for 20 hours, and cover up to 80km along the Wicklow and Dublin coastline. I’ve been training hard with this challenge as my goal.
“I was inspired to take on this challenge for Samaritans by an experience I had this year. This year, I spent time in a psychiatric hospital because I was suffering from addiction. I had kept it a secret from everyone. To the point that it almost killed me.
“In hospital, I heard first-hand reports from other people, also battling addiction, about the help they received from Samaritans. Samaritans were a big reason why those people went on to get help for their addictions and mental health issues. I wish I had opened up about my addiction sooner. If I had, it would have saved so much of my health and hurt to others.
“I decided to be open about my experience of being addicted to codeine as I know it's a big problem in Ireland, which not many are talking about. Like I did, people feel ashamed. Once I started talking to my family and friends, everything got better for me."
There really is power in talking and sharing. That’s why I feel Samaritans is so important.
Mark
“I'm a new person now since I opened up and am beating my addiction. My friends and family have been very supportive of everything I have done in my recovery journey. Including this challenge. I really hope I can raise a good amount of money for Samaritans on the 21st of December, the longest night of the year. I will be working extremely hard for every donation.”
Thank you to Mark for sharing his story and taking on this incredible challenge for Samaritans.
Donate to Mark's fundraiser on Go Fund Me.