The late Daragh Boylan.

#Doitfor Daragh raises over €11k for SOSAD Cavan

Afundraisinginitiative to mark the 21st birthday of a young Cootehill man, who tragically took his life last November, has raised €11,202 for a local suicide prevention and awareness charity.

“It's important for people to know they are never alone - to know there is always someone who would rather listen to their problems than listen to their eulogy,” Aimee Boylan told the Celt.

Her brother, Daragh, should have celebrated his 21st birthday in January but, instead, his family and friends continue to mourn his loss.

Aimee's fundraiser on the GoFundMe page had two goals. The first was to raise funds for the local SOSAD efforts, the second was an effort to ensure other families don't face the devastating impacts of losing a loved one to suicide.

“I lost my brother, Daragh, in November. I wanted to do a little fundraiser where all money raised went to the SOSAD Cavan Branch. County Cavan has experienced tremendous heartache from the suicide of young men and women throughout 2020,” Aimee told the Celt.

“There has been such a lot of tragedy in Cavan in the last couple of months,” the grieving sister said. “With COVID a lot of people are suffering in silence - being out of work, isolation, and loneliness. The effects are very wide ranging and it affects everyone really.”

The money will help SOSAD keep the phone lines and walk-in offices open in the Cavan area: “I wanted to do something to signify Daragh's birthday. I contacted SOSAD and they were so helpful. They told me of the different support systems they had. I wanted to support the Cavan walk-in centre that they operate. We finished it at the end of January on a figure of €11,202. It was amazing to reach that in just two weeks.”

The family feel a particular heartache at this time: “Daragh's 21st birthday should have been one of the happiest nights of his life - a birthday where we should see him laughing and dancing and of course singing all night long.

“Instead, we are mourning two months since his death. Many people might know what this feeling is like, but for those who don't know, let me tell you: It is the worst pain imaginable. I want to ensure that no other family will face the devastating impacts of losing a loved one to suicide,” an emotional Aimee explained.

Aimee feels very strongly about supporting the local charity: “Nobody thinks it will happen to them. We, as a family, never thought this tragedy would come to our doorstep. I wish I knew more about SOSAD when Daragh was here. They are doing amazing work, I found out so much information, information I sadly did not know about when Daragh was here with us.”

The young woman now wants to spread a positive message: “Daragh was known by so many as the young man with the infectious smile, a smile that hid his own personal demons. It is my main aim in life now to help anyone struggling with their own thoughts, anyone who is unhappy, or anyone whose life just isn't going the way they had planned... It's okay not to be okay. It will get better, it will get easier.”

Aside from the funds, there is another important facet of the fundraiser: “Raising awareness. It's still quite a taboo subject. There is still a stigma attached, particularly with young men who feel they can't speak out. That is not to say that there are not young women affected. It has gotten better in the last few years, but there is still a lot to be done.”

Aimee concluded with a simple thanks to all who supported the initiative: “My family and I would like to show our appreciation for all who donated to help the SOSAD charity. And of course, we thank everybody for their support and love throughout the past couple of months.”