Young Derry man Tiarán Devine to complete charity skydive after crash took him to ‘very dark place’
A young Derry man who suffered a bout of poor mental health after surviving a serious road accident last year is to take part in a charity skydive for Aware.
Ten months ago this week Tiarnán Devine sustained horrific injuries in a crash in Glasgow.
He told the ‘Journal’ he believes he is lucky to be alive.
“I suffered a bleed on the brain and nine fractures on one side of my face. It nearly killed me. I was in the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital for four nights,” he says.
Following the accident Tiarnán’s mental health was affected.
“It took me to a very dark place mentally,” he confides. “But I’m still here. I’m stronger.”
With his recovery well under way Tiarnán has decided to give something back by raising money for Aware, the local charity that supports people who are experiencing depression or bipolar disorder.
“I’m skydiving for charity to turn a difficult chapter into something positive.
"I just want to do something to help others, benefit others in any way possible,” he says.
Tiarnán has set up a Just Giving page to allow people to support the fundraising effort.
"Any donation, no matter how small, would mean so much,” says Tiarnán.
Donations can be made at https://www.justgiving.com/page/tiarnan-devine-1
Aware has an established network of 24 support groups in rural and urban areas across the country, which are run by trained volunteers.
Its support groups welcome people with depression and bipolar disorder as well as carers for people with the illness
To learn more visit www.aware-ni.org