On November 21, 2020, Mickey McPhillips from Newtownbutler became one of the many statistics of those who take their own lives on this island of Ireland.

Mickey was a well-known local historian and musician. He was also one of those amazing community man, much loved by all across this divided society.

He would have been 55 years of age on this August 17, and the family wanted that birthday remembered by organising a Memorial Weekend in his name, with all proceeds going towards Oak Healthy Living in Lisnaskea, the RNLI, and other local charities.

The weekend is entitled 'Ray of Hope', Mickey Mac's Memorial Weekend, and it is a cross-community event with a welcome for all.

The weekend begins in Newtownbutler Community Centre with a photographic exhibition of Faces and Places, this was first exhibited by Mickey back in 2001.

The exhibition will be officially opened by Bobby Hanvey, a well-known photographer and radio broadcaster, and of course a native of Brookeborough, and a great friend of the late Mickey.

The exhibition will be available all weekend.

On Saturday August 14, a day of reflection will be held in St. Mary’s Church, Newtownbutler Community, from 11am-4pm.

Guest speakers will include Roley McIntyre, counsellor and therapist; Fr. Brian D’Arcy, priest and journalist; Elaine Miller, life coach motivator; Stephen Caters, personal trainer and mental health advocate; and Dr. Aileen Mulligan, GP.

Rodney Edwards, a journalist with The Irish Independent, will chair the sessions.

On Saturday night, beginning at 7.30pm, a Comhaltas Ceoltois Eireann Concert will be held in the grounds of Newtownbutler Community Centre, and again, all are welcome.

The weekend will conclude on Sunday, August 15 with a walk onto Galloon Island, beginning at 3pm at the bridge.

This ancient island of Galloon, the place of St. Tiernach’s first monastery, held a very special place in Mickey's heart; again, all are welcome to walk onto the island that day.

This planned weekend will hopefully become an annual event, and with monies raised, the McPhillips family would hope that even one life might be saved, and no more families will have to go through the ordeal of a suicide death.

They are also planning to train up a network of 'Community Buddies' – a programme that sees peer-to-peer support that allows an individual to discuss how they are coping or not coping, and working with the ‘buddy’ to discuss ways of moving forward to overcome their challenges.

Community Buddies are educated on how stress and mental health problems can affect individuals.

They are instructed in the skills of active listening. They will be trained in the use of a structured interview schedule to ascertain whether individuals might be experiencing significant levels of distress, and how to practically manage distressed individuals.

Furthermore, they will be trained to mentor individuals to take positive, resilience-enhancing actions, such as positive coping.

They will be trained on how to recognise more complex symptoms requiring professional interventions.

They will develop skills based on the principal of motivational mentoring, to encourage individuals to speak with a healthcare professional where necessary.

Mickey’s legacy of community involvement and care will continue to live on despite the massive absence of his presence.

Please support this weekend, and any developments that may come out of it.