Extreme adventurer and record-breaking Irish sports hero Gavan Hennigan has just been announced as the newest National Ambassador for Jigsaw, the National Centre for Youth Mental Health.
On hand to welcome Gavan to the Jigsaw team, CEO Dr. Joseph Duffy said “Gavan represents all that is good in a National Ambassador - experience of an issue, a personal commitment to societal change, and a genuine desire to make an impact through his association with Jigsaw – we are delighted to have him on board”.
The announcement comes as Jigsaw continues its ambitious campaign to deliver a range of vital early intervention services to improve the lives of young people experiencing mental health difficulties and those around them across its 13 nationwide services.
“Jigsaw’s role in communities across Ireland is massive”, comments Gavan, “I have seen their work first hand in Galway and it blew me away. Knowing what it can like to feel alone and isolated, Jigsaw and what is does and what is represents is huge for our young people. I’m proud to become a National Ambassador for Jigsaw to help them let young people in every community up and down the country know that when they need support they have somewhere to turn to in Jigsaw.”
Through Gavan’s role as Jigsaw National Ambassador, he will exclusively represent the organisation on multiple fora and share his story triumph over adversity and a willingness and determination to pull through.
“Having battled through mental health issues in his youth, Gavan has at all times displayed a mental fortitude second to none. Through his commitment to pushing himself physically and mentally through some of the world’s toughest challenges, he is an inspirational role model to all young people in Ireland.” said Dr. Duffy, CEO at Jigsaw.
Gavan was in Dublin for a brief stopover before embarking on yet another mammoth adventure – “I am getting geared up to row from New York to Galway in the next few weeks. My last solo row as part of the Talisker Whiskey Atlantic Challenge (a 5,000 km crossing he undertook in just 49 days) gave me a real taste for it. This time, just like the last time, I am doing it for Jigsaw – that’s important to me”
If you are inspired by Gavan's story and are able to support Jigsaw's vision for change, please donate today www.jigsaw.ie/gavan or call 01-4727 010.
