Staff and volunteers from the charity FASA have set themselves a literal uphill challenge to fundraise for the organisation.

Staff and volunteers from the charity FASA have set themselves a literal uphill challenge to fundraise for the organisation.  They are planning to take a decommissioned ambulance over 10,000 miles to a children’s hospital in Mongolia.  James Scott of FASA explains:

“For too many years there has been a gap in the emergency health service around the support of those who are vulnerable to suicide.  Current Health Trust priorities have identified the need for a place of safety for those who are currently displaying suicidal ideation.  The Accident and Emergency departments across Northern Ireland are a place for medical emergencies and do not have the resources to care for the mental health needs of someone in crisis through suicide. A 24/7 place of safety is currently being developed in Belfast by FASA called The Nightingale. A number of staff and volunteers have decided to pull together to assist the development and running of this vital centre by volunteering for evening shifts, and by giving up their time to  decorate and fit out the centre. But more importantly we need to assist with the funding to open and maintain The Nightingale on an ongoing basis.

The initial cost of opening and running Nightingale has been budgeted at £200,000 and we have committed to help the fundraising of this target.”

A team of four volunteers and staff have decided to compete in the Mongolian Rally to raise funds directly for The Nightingale.  The challenge includes the unassisted journey of the team of four and a decommissioned ambulance of approximately 10,000 miles.  The team will travel this July through around 20 different countries including current war torn societies to deliver a message of hope, finishing in Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia where we will hand over the ambulance for ongoing use by a children’s hospital.

The local guys, pictured have been set a target of £30,000 to reach by the end of June. Please support this vital effort to challenge the ongoing level of deaths by suicide by running a local fundraising event to help these boys reach their target or make a one off donation sending it for the attention of James Scott, FASA, 178-180 Shankill Road Belfast, BT13 2BH or www.virginmoneygiving.com/team/fasa.muppets  or Text FASA14 £ (add your donation of £3, £5 or £10) to 70070