Sharon Osborne cycles from Derry to Limerick for charity

Sharon Osborne – Sharon pictured above with Declan Crowe and Dave Twomey of Limerick Treaty Suicide Prevention 

Sharon Osborne cycles from Derry to Limerick for charity

By I Love Limerick Correspondent Jade Crowe

A deaf fashion designer and cyclist just underwent a mammoth cycle across the west of Ireland, including Limerick as her last destination, to raise funds for charities close to her heart.

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Sharon met her cousin during her stop in Limerick

Sharon Osborne from Gorey, Co. Wexford cycled around 1,500km over 12 days to raise funds for two charities, Talk to Tom, a suicide prevention charity, and the Irish Deaf Society. Sharon began her journey on June 3, covering an astonishing 1500km from Derry to Limerick to raise money for charity. The two charities hold a very special place in Sharon’s life.

As Sharon happens to be deaf, she wants to raise awareness about the mental health implications that can come along with deafness. Sharon herself went through her depression battles and ‘Talk to Tom’ was there for her in her time of need.

Since Sharon could not receive the communication support that she needed, she relocated to the UK. According to Sharon, In the UK you can have an interpreter with you while you work and study something that is not evident in Ireland.”

Sharon’s incredible journey along the Wild Atlantic Way ended on June 14, after a duration of twelve days. On her journey, Sharon had her friend Dave and brother James supporting her along the way. As she arrived at her stopping destination in Limerick, Sharon was met by the Mayor of Limerick who was very impressed with her challenge.

Finally our hero ⁦@DeafAbility⁩ Sharon Osborne arrived in the People’s Park, #Limerick today completing her #WildAtlanticWay Cycling Challenge 1500km in aid of 2 charities IDS & ⁦⁦@TalkToTomIRE⁩ pic.twitter.com/k415e5BEiy

— Irish Deaf Society (@IrishDeafSoc) June 14, 2021

Sharon said the reason that she chose Limerick as her stopping Destination is that it is the halfway point 1,500km. Sharon spoke about the experience of cycling 1,500km and she stated that it has been an amazing experience, she has been through some really difficult places, some were a bit painful and the weather on occasions was really bad. The winds were tough but from South to North she heard it was a bit easier so in future she will take that route instead of North to South.

Congratulating Sharon on her achievement, a spokesperson for Limerick Treaty Suicide Prevention said, “On behalf

Sharon pictured above with the public and some members of Limerick Treaty Suicide Prevention

of everyone at Limerick Treaty Suicide Prevention we would like to congratulate Sharon on her recent challenge she has achieved for two very worthy organisations, ‘Talk to Tom’ Suicide Prevention and ‘The Irish Deaf Society’. These are two areas that do need more awareness to be raised and public support behind them. We also would like to thank Sharon for including us in the last leg of her challenge and inviting us to cycle the last few kms with her.

Sharon advised that the reason she chose Limerick as her stopping Destination is that it is the halfway point 1,500km. Sharon spoke about the experience of cycling 1,500km and she stated that it has been an amazing experience, she has been through some really difficult places, some were a bit painful and the weather on occasions was really bad. The winds were tough but from South to North she heard it was a bit easier so in future she will take that route instead of North to South.

Sharon chose ‘Talk to Tom’ and the ‘Irish Deaf Society’ because of her experience with being deaf it can have its implications on your mental health. She went through her own battles with Depression and Talk to Tom helped. Sharon did not get the support for Deaf People in Ireland in communication areas. Sharon moved to the UK as a result and it felt like it forced her because the UK supports Funding for interpreters for communication and helps you get through University. In Ireland there is absolutely as Sharon stated no communication support. In the UK you can have an interpreter with you while you work and study something that is not evident in Ireland.”

Well done to Sharon on her amazing accomplishment from everyone at I Love Limerick!

For more information on The Irish Deaf Society go HERE 

For more information on Talk to Tom go HERE 

For more stories on charity go HERE