Grieving dad to cycle 1200 miles in memory of late son
Terry Geddis lost his son Zachary to suicide in 2017
A Coleraine man whose son took his own life is to cycle over 1200 miles across Northern Ireland, lighting a candle in each town.
Zachary Geddis took his own life in 2017 and his family have been left devastated.
The 20-year-old was a male model and promising young art student.
His dad Terry Geddis is hitting the road in a bid to raise awareness and tackle the stigma associated with suicide and mental health issues.
On Monday he will start an 11 day cycle around the province to spread a message of hope.
He paid tribute to his late son and told us about Zachary's struggles with mental health issues:
"My son was 20 and he went to London school of arts...he got accepted and went over to study.
"He was a part-time model as well and he was a really, really, really beautiful boy but he did suffer from a bit of depression."
"I used to see the depression in him and we tried to get him a wee bit of help.
"He was getting help but I didn't really understand to be perfectly honest with you," he said.
He added: "I knew he was suffering, I tried to understand and you could see the days he was suffering but most of the time he was full of life."
Terry has had his own struggles with mental health issues since Zachary's death.
He will cycle through 100 towns in Northern Ireland in just 11 days.
The Coleraine man told Downtown Cool FM he can relate to anyone with mental health issues but wanted to reassure them that help is available:
"I think to myself somebody at 20-year-old is going through what I'm going through and I'm nearly 50, it just breaks my heart.
"I'm going to go round Northern Ireland, I was going to try and hit every town but I realised it was going to take far too long so I'm just going to do 100 towns and light a candle.
"If there's nobody there at the town I'm going to leave a wee note for people to read and maybe that person will take that candle home with him.
"The candle is there for people who are already suffering and people who've been left behind too but we want people to be more open minded."
If you have been affected by suicide or mental health issues call Samaritans on 0808 808 8000 or visit Lifeline.