Thursday, Aug 12, 2004

Santa pays summer visit!

Santa Claus hitching around Ireland is not a sight many motorists expect to encounter as they go to work and school... especially in the middle of the summer! But that's exactly what happened in Carlow recently.

Wolfgang Lolies was the Santa in question and he was hitch hiking around Ireland in a bid to raise awareness for depression and suicide.

From Middleton in Co. Cork, Wolfgang was inspired in his venture by the tragic death of his brother in law who committed suicide some time ago.

Wolfgang said that Middleton has the highest suicide rate in Ireland and the second highest in the world.

He set off from Middleton with the goal of travelling 1,000 in seven days. His visit to Carlow marked his ninth day but he was still upbeat.

Wolfgang - a tour guide by profession - said that last year 444 people took their own lives and 293 people died on our roads.

'A lot of effort is being put in to stop road carnage but I don't see enough being done to stop suicide.'

Wolfgang, who has two children, said that he decided to dress as Santa both to draw attention to himself and because Christmas is a time when people feel most vulnerable.

Although enthusiastic, he is realistic about his efforts. 'I know I am not going to change anything but I am hoping to inspire people.Wolfgang had spent eight months planning his route. Although slower than Saint Nick, Wolfgang is right up there with him when it comes to getting to every corner of the country.