VIDEO: 'Portrush is such a sentimental place to me', says world record skateboarder raising funds for Samaritans
She did it! The skateboarder who tackled the Wild Atlantic Way in memory of a friend she lost to suicide has completed her world record attempt in Portrush.
Becky Gilmour used to skateboard in Portrush with her friend so to raise awareness of mental health, she undertook to skateboard the longest defined coastal route in the world.
The mammoth task required Becky to skateboard 3,000 kilometres, across the same elevation as three Mount Everests!
But she did it – and completed the feat on Sunday, December 14, by skateboarding along Portrush’s West Strand promenade – flanked by supporters two wheels, four wheels and on foot.
Her incredible fundraiser for Samaritans was officially completed with a skate under a guard of honour made of skateboards and scooters held aloft to create an archway.
"The Samaritans answer a potentially life saving call every ten seconds and just ten pounds can help make this happen,”said Becky.
"I can’t change the past, and the loved ones I’ve lost, but I’d like to try and help make a positive impact on the future, helping to break the taboo around suicide and mental illness, and helping to bring us together as a community to provide better support to those struggling.”
Her initial JustGiving target of £5,000 has been smashed and currently sits at £13,549!
After completing her world record, Becky then gave a talk and video recap of her trip in Kiwi’s Brew Bar before greeting scores of friends and supporters.
Speaking to Northern Ireland World, Becky said it was “so special” to finish her world record attempt in Portrush as it is “such a sentimental place to me”.
"I used to skate here with a friend who passed away from suicide and it’s been so nice to come back and do something with a whole community behind me, raising awareness for suicide and mental health.
"It’s really surreal and it’s been a really nice way to close the trip”.
Suffering from a chest infection for two months and battling testing weather conditions, Becky said her trek was “pretty difficult”.
"But people really looked after me along the way so I can’t complain too much.”
To donate to Becky’s fundraiser for Samaritans, go to her website www.beckysarthouse.com, check out her Facebook page or her JustGiving page.