Longford's Mickey Quinn wants to see WNOW become a charity to reap further benefits

Longford's Mickey Quinn outlined that ‘When No One is Watching’ (WNOW) is currently a charity in Australia and he expressed the hope that the organisation can become a charity here too as it will be able to benefit from additional funding and develop.

WNOW is creating safe spaces for men to come together, share their struggles, and support each other.

There are currently 38 branches in over a dozen countries including five in Ireland in Longford, Bundoran, Kildare, Greystones and Dun Laoghaire.

Mickey said he believes there is a good opportunity for the organisation to become a charity and he is confident there will be at least 50 branches worldwide by next year.

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“The hope would be that it becomes a recognised charity in Ireland.

“It's recognised in Australia and with that comes different sports partnerships, different set-ups and donations in order to run, promote and grow the organisation.

Mickey said there will be 'due diligence and governance' steps that will have to be ticked off to get to that stage.

"It might take a while but at the end of the day these things are moving along in the background which is important, to have the chapters."

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Mickey praised Longford Sports Partnership, Longford County Council and several local people.

"The fact the guys have done those processes in Australia and they have the right people involved here to make sure that it's all good on that end.

"I think once it becomes an official not-for-profit charity there is more that can be done through the sports partnership.

"People like Enda Fitzpatrick, Donal Mulligan have been great and the county council as well they have been super.

"Donal Mulligan offered us a place (Longford Athletic centre) and that was a huge help to us."

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A Longford County Council spokeswoman said Mickey Quinn's ‘When No One is Watching’ (WNOW) exercise sessions are early morning classes aiming to create a discreet entry point for men who might otherwise avoid health-focused activities.

"The concept acknowledges that many men feel uncomfortable exercising in public or discussing mental health challenges.

“Longford Sports Partnership, part of Longford County Council, supports this initiative.”