DIARMUID MCCLEARY, VICE present for Events of DIT’s Student’s Union is hitch-hiking through all 32 counties carrying a microwave oven.
Why, you might ask? Is he protesting a lack of the facilities on his campus? Is he protesting about their being potentially too many microwaves on campus?
That’s a hard no to both of those. Diarmuid is journeying the country with no money to raise money for Jigsaw – The National Centre for Youth Mental Health. Jigsaw’s 13 hubs across the country provide young people, aged 12-25, with a place they can visit for free and confidential support from trained mental health professionals. Their early intervention model helps young people before they reach the point of acquiring a formal mental health diagnosis.
He’ll be starting his expedition this Friday (6 April) in Sligo and will make the trip to Ballinasloe, Co Galway. Along the way, Diarmuid will be relying on the support local people and businesses.
So far, he’s raised €180 and is aiming to get over €2,000. You can donate to the cause here. Just-Eat have joined the initiative and will sponsor his food from their hundreds of member outlets throughout the country.
He’s also looking for accommodation through his trip, so i you can lend a bed or a couch, contact him through his Facebook page here!
But the big question is – why a microwave?
He told the Armagh I:
Why not a microwave? Honestly, I thought it would be a good way to generate awareness about my hitch-hike. I chose a kitchen appliance as inspiration from a book by a guy named Tony Hawke. Back in 1999 he hitch-hiked around Ireland with a fridge and my trip is inspired by that!”
So there you go. Best of luck Diarmuid!
