VPS Group’s Charity Cycle ride passes half-way target for mental health campaigns

On Sunday 23 May, Darron Cavanagh, chief operating officer at the site security specialist VPS, and Lee Newman, their CEO, will start pedaling on their five-day cycling marathon around the UK. From London to Manchester, via Norwich, they are hoping to raise £50,000 for Samaritans and other mental health initiatives.

This week they passed the ‘cycle-logical’ barrier of the half-way target with £25,000 already donated by friends, colleagues, suppliers and the general public. To help them reach the finishing line with whatever can be spared visit the JustGiving page for donations here.
“We’re incredibly grateful for all the support we’ve received to date. Lockdowns have been particularly tough for people’s mental health, so we decided to raise money for Samaritans and other campaigns to support mental health and wellbeing”, says ‘spokes-person’ Darron.
In the UK and Ireland, suicide is the biggest killer of men under 50 and young people aged 20-34. Within the construction sector, there are some of the highest risk occupations susceptible to stress.

Darron adds: “Last week was Mental Health Awareness week, so it is a good moment to encourage people to support others, to talk to others, and shift the stigma away.”

The VPS Group, Europe’s leading temporary security specialists, have made mental health initiatives their top priority in 2021.

Lee Newman, Group CEO adds: “My wife Sophie is a Samaritan and the number of people that ring through to Samaritans every day is astonishing. There is a call every seven seconds. Anything we can do to help that organisation, and ultimately help the mental health of our nation, has to be a good thing.”

#vpscharitybikeride2021

Dublin Address: Unit 3 Willsborough Cluster, Clonshaugh Ind Estate, Dublin 17, D17 CX52. Tel: 01 867 1188 Email: ireland@vpsgroup.com

Belfast Address: Unit 40/41 Derriaghy Industrial Park, The Cutts, Belfast BT17 9HU. Tel: 0345 002 0142 Email: belfast@vpsgroup.com