The father of a young Derry man who took his life last year has launched a memorial motorbike run to take place on Father’s Day raising funds for a local mental health charity.
Jack Glenn, 23, entered the River Foyle last year on February 2. A huge seven-week search followed and for the talented young sportsman until his body was recovered on March 27, 2017.
Last year, the Glenn family organised a motorbike run on Father’s Day with funds going to the Get Jack Back campaign.
The family then donated the funds raised to those who had helped in the search and recovery of their much-loved son and brother.
Colin Glenn, Jack’s father, launched this year’s motorbike ride from Derry to Portrush in memory of his late son.
This year’s event will take place next month on June 17, Father’s Day, meeting at the Foyle Bridge at 11am to ride out at 1pm. All bikers are being asked to make a donation of £5 per bike.
Speaking ahead of the launch on Friday afternoon, Colin said: “We are launching this year’s bike run for the Jack Glen Memorial Run and raising money for the charity AWARE.
“It’s an annual motorcycle run from the Foyle Bridge with friends and local bikers. Last year we had 170 bikes at the ride out and this year we hope it’s going to be even bigger and better.”
The run is raising funds for the charity, AWARE, a Derry born charity with offices here in the city and in Belfast. AWARE has 25 support groups in rural and urban areas across Northern Ireland welcoming people with depression and bipolar disorder and those who care for them.
Colin continued: “Last year, we didn’t really have a charity and the funds went to the Get Jack Back campaign but this year will be giving AWARE every penny raised.
“We will be doing this every year and we are hoping that, over the coming years, we can give to different charities every year but this year we will be concentrating on AWARE.”
He added: “With it being on Father’s Day, it really means a lot to me.”
The Derry office of AWARE is at 15 Queen St. You can contact them by telephone on 028 7126 0602 or e-mail them at info@aware-ni.org.
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