“If I can use any kind of platform to shine a light on it and try to help, it’s something I’ll definitely do”
Local funnyman Dave Elliott is swaping stand-up for sitting down as he takes on a mammoth 293-mile cycle across Northern Ireland for charity.
The Co Down comedian and Blue Lights actor became an embassador for Action Mental Health last month and to mark the occasion, he is set to take on one of his biggest challenges yet – ‘Break the Cycle – Dave’s Big Bike Ride for Better Mental Health’.
Over the course of the next three days, Dave will cycle almost 300miles, linking Action Mental Health service locations across the country before cycling to Stormont on World Mental Health Day on Friday.
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Speaking to Belfast Live ahead of his first day on the bike on Wednesday, Dave said that it is important to him to use his platform in any way he can to highlight the importance of mental health awareness across NI.
“I start off tomorrow at the Action Mental Health head offices in Newtownards, so I’m going from Newtownards to Lisburn and then to Downpatrick, to Newry and finishing up in Portadown which is day one complete.
“And then I’ll be going to bed as soon as that’s done, I think,” he laughed.
“I’ll then get up again first thing in the morning and go from Portadown to Enniskillen to Derry as day two.
“It’s going to be a long route but a pretty route on the second day – I’m going to see a lot of nice sights, and that’s going to be the thing to look forward to.
“Then the last day is Derry to Belfast.”
Dave’s triumphant finish on Friday will bring him to the doors of Stormont, not only because he wants to shine a light on the importance of mental health services at the home of politics in the country, but also because he has some stand-up gigs he doesn’t plan on missing in the city.
Many might recognise Dave from his role in hit cop drama Blue Lights, where his character Brendan demonstrates the failing of mental health healthcare in Northern Ireland.
Dave said: “Being in Blue lights, I was a fan of the first series and to get a chance to be in it was class and again, to do something totally different than what people expect from me is cool.
“I think, particularly this series, it was probably the most acting I’ve had to do and having done that and having done the first series, like the number of people that would stop me when I’m out to speak about it.
“Someone actually came up to me once at the gym and went ‘I just want to say that you chatting about mental health on podcasts or seeing you in Blue Lights has made me kind of realise that it happens to us all’ and that it was a big help.
“Even working with some of the organisations and people who work in mental health for playing Brendan, made me realise that there is a real issue with mental health provision and support in this country – again, if I can use any kind of platform to shine a light on it and try to help, it’s something I’ll definitely do.”
Along his 300-mile journey, Dave will be joined by fellow comedian Shane Todd in Downpatrick and Olympian and fellow Action Mental Health ambassador Rhys McClenaghan in Belfast. Supporters can follow his journey and updates on social media if they also wish to get out and join in.
You can donate to his fundraiser here or can donate to Action Mental Health by texting DAVEFIVE or DAVETEN to 70085. Dave added that even if people are unable to donate, he hopes fundraiser will raise awareness of Action Mental Health and the services they offer to anyone suffering.
“Let’s shine a light on mental health and then sort it.”
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