'Row Your Demons' challenge launched as part of World Mental Health Awareness Month

Broadcaster Miriam O’Callaghan has launched the ‘Row Your Demons’ challenge as part of World Mental Health Awareness Month.

The fundraiser is in aid of Turn2Me, a national mental health charity which offers free one-to-one counselling sessions and free support groups 365 days a year. The Row Your Demons fundraiser is asking people across the country to use a rowing machine for half an hour and donate €50 – the cost of one counselling session – to Turn2Me.

The charity stated that with the aftermath of the pandemic and the rising cost of living, accessible mental health services are more important now than ever. Using a rowing machine for half an hour will benefit our mental health, particularly because exercise has stress-busting benefits, such as increased endorphins. The charity added that every person who joins the fundraiser will be ‘paying it forward’ and funding a counselling session for someone in Ireland.

“I’m delighted to launch Row Your Demons,” Miriam O’Callaghan said. “So many people across the country are suffering with anxiety, depression, grief, and loneliness, and many of these issues were exacerbated by the pandemic and again with the rising cost of living. It’s been a tough few years for many people, which is why it’s so important to support charities like Turn2Me that offer professional, accessible mental health services in Ireland.”

“Row Your Demons is a great fundraiser for gym-goers across the country,” added Oisín Scollard, co-founder of Turn2Me. “Half an hour on a rowing machine is challenging but doable, and the funds raised go towards a great cause. People can row for half an hour on their own or go with a group of mates to the gym and row alongside each other.

If they wish, people can also tag their friends on social media and nominate them to get involved in the Row Your Demons challenge. It’s a great challenge and all money raised will go towards funding professional one-to-one counselling sessions for people in Ireland.”

People can get involved in the Row Your Demons challenge by using a rowing machine for half an hour and donating €50 to Turn2Me on Turn2Me.ie or on iDonate. People are encouraged to tag @Turn2Me on social media channels. The event is sponsored by Actavo events and Windsor Motors.