Local man Barry Bannon 'overwhelmed' by support for Davina's Ark challenge

​Following our front page story on April 22, Barry said that he was ‘overwhelmed’ with the experience and the support he received, and he now hopes to run it again next year.

“I got a lot of feedback and a lot of outreach from the public; from people I know and people I don't know, all following me along on my journey,” he said.

“Before I even started the race, I was just so emotional. I suppose it was because I knew the reason why I was taking on the challenge and I suppose I was being a voice for those that do struggle with addiction and mental health issues.

“I think I need to do it again to really take it in and give myself a chance to just enjoy it that wee bit. Not that I didn't enjoy it, but just maybe take it all in a wee bit more.

“I think I found myself just a wee bit overwhelmed with a lot of the things going on on the day. But it was an absolutely phenomenal experience. I've never been more emotional and excited in all my life.”

Barry completed the challenge to raise funds and awareness for Davina’s Ark, an addiction recovery charity based in Newry, who helped Barry turn his life around and overcome alcoholism five years ago.

Each day that Barry ran, he paired it with a message of hope for those going through addiction.

He recorded a short, positive message and uploaded it to social media each day and he said the response left him “taken aback by it all”.

“People were pushing me and encouraging me to keep them going, because they found it very positive and, I suppose, humbling to hear somebody speak out about addiction,” he said.

“Especially people that do struggle themselves or have family members that struggle. For me to actually speak out, speak the truth about addiction, and be positive, whereas so many other people would be so judgemental towards people that are going through the same circumstances. So, yeah, I've been just so taken aback by it all.

“I'm just trying to showcase my bad times and the good times, just to show people what can be done, especially from the help that Davina’s Ark provides.

“It really is such a unique charity. I don't think there's a charity like it in Ireland. The work that they put into people's personal journeys is phenomenal.”

Barry says that the challenge gave him back much more than he ever thought it would.

“Even talking about it now, I think it's unbelievable. Do you see the support and the love that is out there for people? It's unbelievable.

“It just takes making that uncomfortable step, and overcoming the fear of the unknown, so to speak. But yeah, it's unbelievable.

“I had such a weekend with my wife as well, because it was her and I that were over there together. And she even found it unbelievable. I was able to showcase Davina’s Ark on a world stage, running around the streets with the banner, promoting recovery and talking about addiction. It really was something else.

“It gave me back a hell of a lot more than I ever thought it would. It really, really did.”