Michael pulls himself up to raise support for Childline

AN Ennis man is setting the bar high when it comes to giving a lift during lock-down. Michael Casey has given himself the challenge of doing 100 pull ups every day for 100 days, with funds raised going to ISPCC’s Childline. Since starting at the beginning of the new year, the 27-year-old has already raised more than €2,000 and he hopes to exceed this amount as he continues for the coming months.
Explaining why he decided to take on the challenge he tells us, “With lock-down so many people are just so depressed, there is a real low mood around the place at the moment and I just wanted to do something to help. I decided that starting on the first of January, in the new year, it might encourage people to focus on the positives in 2021 instead, and leave all of the bad energy of 2020 behind.”
Michael is a mental health advocate and has written a book of short stories on mental health issues and how to handle them called ‘Breaking Free’.
Picking Childline as the organisation to support was an “easy choice”, saying he believes that the affect that Covid-19 and lock-down on children’s mental health has “gone unnoticed” with the work of the charity invaluable in offering support. He is urging people to be aware of the difficulties some teenagers and children may be suffering at this time.
“Many children will find themselves stuck in abusive households for weeks without the safe haven of seeing their friends or taking part in their hobbies. A lot of children who are struggling with their mental health won’t be able to get the proper help they need and the chances of their recovery drawing to a halt and even relapse are much higher.
“Cyber bullying is something that has seen a massive rise during lock-downs. Students who are doing their Leaving Cert are also under immense pressure with a massive question mark looming over the exam and whether or not it will go ahead and how it will if it does. These are just some of the groups of people who are suffering and will be availing of Childline’s 24 hour services during the lock-downs.
Unfortunately with the lock-downs Childine won’t be able to fundraise like it normally does and will be restricted to relying on online fundraisers such as mine for donations.”
Donate to Michael Casey Pushup Challenge

The Irish Examiner – 6 February 2021
Click to Read more