Young man from Newry to feature on Countryfile Ramble for BBC Children in Need

Twenty-year-old Fionntan will join Margherita Taylor in a Ramble around the beautiful grounds and the surrounding hills of Castlewellan Forrest Park in Northern Ireland. The Ramble will be filmed and broadcast in a special programme ‘The Countryfile Ramble for BBC Children in Need’ on Sunday 29th October on BBC One.

ionntan, grew up in an isolated and rural village in the South-East of Northern Ireland, it was there he came out as a teenager to his community and found friendship and acceptance when he joined BBC Children in Need funded project, Crisis Café. The project has provided Fionntan with the tools he needed to support his overall wellbeing. He now volunteers at Crisis Café and is on the Board of Directors. The project delivers bespoke mental health services to young people affected by a range of issues, and aims to reduce the stigma associated with mental health. Crisis Café delivers a non-judgmental space where young people like Fionntan can feel less isolated and build confidence and self-esteem. 

 Crisis Café has encouraged Fionntan to speak openly about his feelings and issues that have affected his mental wellbeing such as his sexuality, body image and experiencing bullying in his younger years. Since attending the project Fionntan has grown in confidence and self-esteem and now expresses himself through his love of music and is in a band. Crisis Café is a youth-led project that encourages peer to peer support, as well as clinical support in a relaxed environment. The project sees active members come together as a community to help to plan events, and activities whilst also going into schools as Ambassadors.

 Since being supported by Crisis Café, Fionntan enjoys visiting regularly as a member of the Board of Directors and gets involved in project events whilst supporting others affected by mental health issues. Crisis Café allows young people like Fionntan to grow as individuals and reach their full potential.

Ahead of his Ramble, Fionntan said: “I’m thrilled to be taking part in this year’s Countryfile Ramble for BBC Children in Need! I want to encourage as many people as possible to get Rambling and to help raise funds for children and young people. Challenge yourself and make a difference!” 

Crisis Café currently receives a grant of £59,500 from BBC Children in Need, over three years. Funding provides two mental health practitioners and a range of activities for young people with mental health issues, to enable them to build confidence and be equipped with the techniques to support their overall wellbeing.

 Since the Countryfile Ramble began in 2015, ramblers have raised more than £14.2million for the charity. This year, other ramble challenges will take place on the stunning coast of South West Wales and the Gower Peninsula, the scenic hills of Kinlochlevan in Scotland, and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Wood in East Midlands.

 For information on how to get involved in this year’s Countryfile Ramble, please visit the Ramble Hub at www.bbcchildreninneed.co.uk/shows/countryfile-ramble/

 In Northern Ireland where the ramble will be taking place, BBC Children in Need currently fund 114 projects to the value of £6.1m.