Ever wondered where all the good men are gone? Or where are all the gods? So have we. It’s that time of the week again, ladies… This week’s #HerHeroOfTheWeek goes to the inspirational International motivational speaker, Mark Pollock. Earlier in the week, Concern Worldwide kick started their incredible #send1brick campaign with an evening of ‘Stories to Inspire’. Guest speaker Mark Pollock – the adventure athlete who has been breaking down the barriers that blindness and paralysis have placed around him - gave the small gathering a brief synopsis of his journey and his continued efforts to find a cure for paralysis. “Over the last fours years I’ve come to realise that there’s an interplay – being realistic and dealing in facts – and being optimistic and looking at the fantasy of what could be,” Pollock told the crowd. Unfettered by blindness at the young age of 22, Pollock competed in ultra endurance races across deserts, mountains, and the polar ice caps. In 2010 a tragic fall left Mark paralysed and he explained how he set about trying to overcome his biggest challenge to date. “The message that I was getting [after the accident] was the message that had been selling to corporate audiences for the previous ten years as I transitioned from being blind to going to the south pole - it is basically to face up to facts, not to make excuses and to get the right people around you to do what you want to do and more importantly to go and make it happen, get on with it". Mark and his beautiful fiancée, Simone, at Concern Worldwide's #send1brick campaign launch. When questioning whether he was going to be a realist or an optimist, Mark realised: “I suppose where I’ve come to sit, literally, is in between those two spaces. I occupy the gap between reality and fantasy. That is my new story – less harsh than I use to, less about facts and only facts. "Trying to find a cure for paralysis is a storyline that isn’t finished yet as there is no cure, there are no therapies. A fantasy is that we’ll find a cure, but the reality is there is not cure yet. "My new story is to find people around the world that are prepared to disregard the impossible, prepared to explore that gap between reality and fantasy. We’re trying to find them and connect them so that we can fast track a cure for paralysis for me, selfishly, and for those millions of others around the world who are not as fortunate enough to be in the position that I am. His phenomenal journey led in perfectly to the message and work that the staff at Concern wish to get across in their latest touching campaign as they aim to raise funds to help rebuild hospitals in Sierra Leone and in turn save thousands of lives. “My position is no different from the people in the posters, the people in Africa and perhaps for you too," Pollock concluded. "I think we need both – not just realism, not just optimism but a bit of both to take on the challenges that we face to carry on and complete our stories”. Later this month Pollock will travel to the US and once again share his ever inspiring story, this time for the world renowned TED Talks, a nonprofit organisation devoted to ideas worth spreading. More than 50,000 people died in Sierra Leone civil war and most of the country’s healthcare facilities were destroyed. This video shot by Concern shows some very special people who are trying to overcome war and health problems. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0WcNQn1flI Show your concern by joining their #send1brick campaign and help make Sierra Leone’s future one of hope, dignity and good health – Text BRICK to 57500 to donate €2.50. Video via YouTube/Concern Worldwide Do you know a HERO? Ladies, every week we will select one complete gentleman to be Her Hero, not without your help of course… How can you help? Send an image of someone you think is an absolute hero, and if we agree, your entry will get a very deserving and coveted place. He doesn’t have to be fast, he doesn’t necessarily have to be brave, or have ever been involved in a fight in his life… but it may help. The picture can be anything, a nice gesture from your boyfriend (providing you have one), a text from your Dad or friend, or even someone lovely you happen to meet on the street. Surprise us! Send your potential Her Heroes to grace.oreilly@her.ie or use the #HerHeroOfTheWeek on Twitter. Until next week…