Terry’s island cycle in memory of son Zach

ZGBTST exists as a permanent legacy of Terry’s son Zachary who, at the age of 20, took his own life after a long battle with his mental health.

Every year since losing Zachary, Terry has completed a mammoth cycling challenge in his memory.

This year, Terry took on a route around Ireland, lighting a candle in each town he reached in memory of those who have taken their own lives, those bereaved by suicide and those suffering with mental health issues.

Though he has completed cycles before, Terry described his Around Ireland Cycle as being the hardest he had ever tackled.

He started each cycling day at 5am and was on the bike for an average of eight hours per day.

Fatigue set in early, but Terry did not get off the bike, other than to buy water after facing some dehydration during his travels.

The weather was also not on his side, but he cycled on, with winds battering rain into his face.

Some mornings he would put on his shoes that were still wet from the day before. He said that his reason for carrying on each day was due to thinking of the community supporting him throughout his marathon journey.

Terry was also joined by long-time friend Andrew Mills on day 11 and son-in-law Duane Adams onthe final day. Terry’s goal was to raise £5,000 for the Trust but he smashed that target instead raising more than £5,600.

Although Terry has decided that this fundraising cycle will be his last, he added that a candle will always burn in his home in memory of those gone too soon, those left behind and those suffering.

The Zachary Geddis Break The Silence Trust was set up in October 2017.

Dedicated to being the on-going voice of Zachary, the Trust aims to be “the voice of those suffering in silence and to help those who believe they can no longer be helped”.

For further information on the Trust, see www.zacharygeddisbreakthesilencetrust.org/