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April 1, 2009

Suicide Awareness Charity Truck Convoy

Suicide Awareness Charity Truck Convoy

The third annual Suicide Awareness Charity Truck Convoy took place on Sunday 4th May last and wound its way around various towns and villages in the county. A total of over 80 trucks took part which was the biggest convoy to date and all the truckers have to be thanked for that achievement.

Set up by Dunboyne men Thomas and Gary Cannon to help the awareness and prevention of suicide within the county, it has become part of the May Bank Holiday weekend for the past three years in County Meath. Run in collaboration with the Awareness Education Office which is directed & facilitated by Fr. Tony Byrne & Sr. Kathleen Maguire, the convoy hope to raise awareness on the issue of suicide and that there are people out there who can help through seminars such as the one recently held in Scoil Mhuire, Trim. It makes the convoy committee proud knowing that they are at least helping people to understand that suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem.

This years convoy raised and amazing €33,000 for the charity beating all previous records. A sincere thanks goes to everybody who gave their time and support to make the convoy a huge success.
Starting off from Dunboyne Nat. School shortly after 2.30 the people of this South Meath village gave the convoy a rousing send off where many people came in there droves to wish them luck. It is without doubt that the Dunboyne residents are always very supportive of Thomas and Gary’s efforts in the fight to prevent suicide and will always continue to do so.

The convoy then made its way onto Clonee, then on to Ratoath where another very sizeable crowd turned out to wish the convoy luck on its route. After passing through Ratoath it continued onto Ashbourne, Slane and Navan. Due to safety precautions only 15 lorries went past Navan Shopping Centre itself where, once again, another sizeable crowd turned out to congratulate the convoy on its work.
After the 15 trucks or so met up with the rest of the convoy at the Boyne Bridge the convoy travelled down the N3 to Dunshaughlin and finally to its stop in Dunboyne Castle Hotel shortly after 5.30pm. Some of those who took part in the convoy were Hugh Mellon, Cormac O’ Brien, Paul Byrne, Pat Greely, Frank Walsh, John Boyle, Martin Mc Donald and Paul Hannifan.

New Sponsor this year the Dunboyne Castle Hotel laid on much needed refreshments and food for all involved with the convoy as it was a long and hot day for everyone. Afterwards, Fr Tony and Sr. Kathleen both gave speeches on their work and what they do to help prevent suicide and chief organiser Thomas Cannon sincerely thanked everyone that took part, including the committee of twenty and all the truckers.

The organising committee of the truck convoy would like to thank the sponsors of this event - LAS Security Services, Dunboyne Auto Parts, Europlates, Dunboyne Castle Hotel among others. They would also like to thank the army of collectors, and all the truckers involved. The Garda Traffic Corps also have to be thanked for policing the event to the highest standards along with the bike marshals from Dunboyne Motor Club and the Amigos of Fagans Bar, Moynalvey. Pictures of the convoy are available from www.gbtruckpix.com.

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