Showers were ‘dodged’ as third Green Ribbon walk takes place in Portumna

THE weather could have been a bit kinder for the month of May but there was still a good turnout for the third annual Green Ribbon Walk organised by the IFA and held at Portumna Forest Park last Sunday.

Aimed at increasing awareness of mental health issues, the walkers were joined by country music star, Mike Denver and All-Star hurler, Ollie Canning, for the stroll through the woods.

The 60 walkers managed to successfully dodge the showers in an informal outing with the primary aim of encouraging people to talk about mental health issues.

“We had a good turnout and we’re hoping to see as many people as possible wearing the green ribbon through the month of May. This was aimed at getting families out and about in a very informal manner, and I would like to thank everyone who took part,” said organiser Maura Canning.

She said that they were already planning to have the fourth Green Ribbon walk this time next year, while in the meantime Maura Canning asked everyone to talk more openly about mental health issues.

“This is a very big issues across all of rural Ireland and we’re hoping that through events like the Green Ribbon walks that we can help to improve awareness of mental health problems. A trouble shared is a trouble halved,”  she said.