A Portrush man speaks about his Guinness World Record attempt in the London Marathon and the heartbreaking reason behind his '˜Iron Man' mission

So, have you heard the one about the Portrush man who is planning to create a new Guinness World Record by running the London Marathon while carrying an iron in one hand and a full size ironing board in the other? Oh yes, and he has a broken back into the bargain!

It’s not a joke, it’s the task being taken on by ‘Iron Man’ Andy Farrer in April to raise money for a charity for children with visual impairments and also to highlight a subject so painfully close to his heart - suicide awareness.

Andy lost his partner Wilma Patton-Brolly to suicide in November 2016 and since then has dedicated himself to talking openly about mental health issues and encouraging others not to feel ashamed if they are struggling.

“Someone taking their own life is like throwing a pebble into a millpond, there are ripples and after-effects for ages,” he said.

“It was my privilege to have known Wilma, we had just 16 months together but what we packed into that time was fantastic. She was amazing, so kind, never judged anyone. I called her ‘Giggles’ because she was always smiling and laughing. We met on a blind date in Portrush and we ‘just knew’ then.

“She was the most fantastic mum to her two children and she worked in Happy Days Playgroup in Ballymoney. They just adored her there.

“The worst thing is that we just never saw it coming. People who take their own lives think the world will be better off without them - it isn’t.

“I knew Wilma had slight depression but I honestly never saw it coming. Her very close friends said that they had never seen her as happy.

“I just want to raise awareness, to say that there is nothing to be ashamed of if you are depressed or struggling. Just pick up the phone - to anyone, to the Samaritans, absolutely anyone. Don’t put the mask on and hide behind it. And the rest of us have to grow a set of ears and listen to people.”

Andy, who has run half and full marathons in the past, is now training for the London event to raise funds for VICTA (Visually Impaired Children Taking Action) and the Coleraine branch of the Samaritans.

“I ran the Belfast Marathon with the Railway Arms in Coleraine where I used to work. My training consisted of turning up on the day, opening a bottle of beer, drinking it and running the relay,” laughed Andy who works in Sainsbury’s in Coleraine.

“I ran my first full marathon in 2010 but I broke my spine five years ago and was advised against running but I’ve decided to take on this challenge as a sort of tribute to Wilma and the great fun we had together - that’s what I miss the most, the fun.