Cyclethon against domestic violence to mark Go Purple Day in Kilkenny

Go Purple Day, the national day to raise awareness and funds for local domestic abuse services, will take place next Friday, 28th April.

The day will be marked in Kilkenny by a special Cyclethon, led by members of the local Gardai, with support from Amber Women’s Refuge and Newpark Close Family Resource Centre.

People, businesses and schools are urged to wear or bake something purple on the day to raise awareness and show their solidarity with victim-survivors of domestic violence.
It is hoped that locals will also participate in the Cyclethon to send a message of zero tolerance of domestic violence in our community.

Organisers have set a goal to collectively cycle more than 150kms on the stationary bike, the equivalent of cycling the circumference of the county.

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Go Purple Day was created by Garda Stacey Looby in Meath in 2020 to raise awareness of the supports available to victim-survivors of domestic violence.

A garda-led initiative, working in partnership with local domestic abuse services, it has now grown into a national day of awareness. This is the second year that Kilkenny Gardai will co-host an event in the city with Amber, who support local women and children and Newpark Close FRC who provide supports to local men.

“Go Purple Day is an excellent opportunity to acknowledge and highlight the ongoing engagement between local Gardaí and local Domestic Abuse services and to reaffirm the message that help, reassurance and support is available to victims of domestic abuse. This year, together with Amber and Newpark Close FRC, we’re hosting a Cyclethon where local Garda members from Kilkenny will be ‘Cycling against Domestic Violence’,” said Inspector Alma Molloy, Kilkenny Garda Station.

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“Go Purple Day is a wonderful opportunity for Amber to join with the community, local Gardai and other services supporting victim-survivors of domestic violence in Kilkenny to raise awareness and funds and show solidarity with local women, children and men who are or have experienced domestic violence and abuse,” commented Lisa Morris, manager of Amber Women’s Refuge.

Eileen Dillon, Support Worker at Newpark Close FRC says “It doesn’t matter how rich or poor a person is, what gender or social class, or how much fame or education they possess. Verbal, mental, and physical abuse can happen to anyone.
“It doesn’t matter what a person’s ethnicity is because the only distinguishing colour of abuse is black-and-blue.”

The Cyclethon for Go Purple Day will start at 11am on Friday, 28th April, in Market Cross and continue throughout the day. All are invited to do a stint on the bike to cycle against domestic violence. People of all fitness levels are welcome to participate. Information on the local supports for victim-survivors of domestic violence will also be available.

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“We are delighted to host this important event for the second year to help raise awareness of the services that are available to victim-survivors of domestic violence in our community. We want to embrace people who have been affected and encourage everyone to take part on the day,’’ said Lesley Cleere, manager of Market Cross Shopping Centre.

Kilkenny Garda Station will light up purple, along with some buildings and bridges throughout the city, thanks to the support of Kilkenny County Council. Window displays at St Canice’s Credit Union and Kilkenny Volunteer Centre will also raise awareness.