A local sailor will set sail for three months for a mental health charity in memory of friends who took their own lives.
Alan Currans is sailing across Ireland and North of Scotland to raise funds for the Aisling Centre which is expected to cover almost 2,000 nautical miles.
The retired outdoor pursuits instructor who has worked in Fermanagh since 1982 said: "My hope is that through this journey, we will not only navigate the seas safely but also raise at least £10,000 for the Aisling Centre.
"Together, let’s prevent another tragic loss of life to suicide.”
His journey will begin on April 28, starting out from Rossnowlagh and travel clockwise around the North of Ireland to Malin Head.
From there, he will cross to the Inner / Outer Hebrides, St Kilda, and then on to the North of mainland Scotland and the Orkney Archipelago.
Updates and photographs of his journey will be posted on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/tgevisionandhope, or on tge-visionandhope.org.
Donations towards Mr. Currans' voyage and Aisling Centre can be made online or in person.
He added: “I was privileged to be introduced to outdoor adventure activities at the age of 10 and from those early years quickly became aware of the health benefits both physical and mental, associated with venturing in the outdoors.
"This early interest blossomed into a passion and eventually led to a career in the outdoors."
His interest in sailing dates back to the 1980s, mostly for pleasure but he has also competed at the National level in Dinghies and the European level in a Keelboat Class.
Acutely aware of the task ahead, Mr. Currans plans to undertake this arduous journey at a "leisurely pace".
He said: "This will be a long and challenging project but difficulty has its rewards."
The Aisling Centre is a free, confidential and professional counselling and psychotherapy service.
They can be contacted at 028 66 325811 or through their website www.theaislingcentre.com for further information on their services.
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