Major Boost For Suicide Crisis House In Roscrea   You are in · RoscreaOnline · Community · Features

Plans to open a branch of the suicide and self-harm crisis centre, Pieta House, in Roscrea have received a major boost with news on Monday last that North Tipperary Leader Partnership has approved funding of €25,000 for the project.

Plans to open a branch of the suicide and self-harm crisis centre, Pieta House, in Roscrea have received a major boost with news on Monday last that North Tipperary Leader Partnership has approved funding of €25,000 for the project.  This funding will provide up to 75% of the cost of refurbishing a building in the heart of Roscrea for the centre, which is expected to be officially opened in mid-Autumn of this year

The news has been announced by Roscrea based Fianna Fail Cllr. Michael Smith, who has described it as a “fantastic boost” for the project, of which he is a dedicated supporter.  Cllr Smith also revealed that the contract for carrying out the refurbishment of the premised has been awarded to a local builder.  Meanwhile, Chairperson of the Roscrea Darkness into Light and Pieta House committee, Paul McNamara, last week presented a cheque for €10,131.01 to Joan Freeman and Cathy Kelly of Pieta House on behalf of the people of Tipperary following the incredibly successful Darkness into Light walk which took place in Roscrea on 12th May.  Over 350 people took part in Roscrea’s first ever Darkness into Light 5Km walk.  The event aims to raise awareness about the issue of suicide and also to raise vital funds for the suicide and self-harm crisis centre, Pieta House. “We’re thrilled with the turnout we had for Darkness into Light, said Paul McNamara, Chairperson of the Roscrea Darkness into Light Committee.  “We had such a great reaction from individuals, community groups, local representatives and the business community. We’d like to thank everyone for their support and we hope to build on this for next year, he said. I’m so grateful to the people of Tipperary for their huge support in bringing the Darkness into Light Walk to Roscrea this year, said Joan Freeman, founder and CEO of Pieta House.  I’d particularly like to thank our hard working committee, without whom this fantastic event never would have happened.  Their dedication and commitment was invaluable and we’re very grateful for the money they raised for Pieta House.  I hope that there’s now an increased awareness throughout County Tipperary of the free services that Pieta House provides to those in need of help, she said.

The Darkness into Light walk took place in 14 locations across the country and attracted a total of 15,000 people.  The unique event is symbolic of the work that suicide and self-harm crisis centre Pieta House do – they bring people from darkness back into the light.
“Next year we want to make the Roscrea walk even bigger, and we can only do this with the continued support of local people.  I want to encourage people and businesses to get involved by volunteering; we also need help with tea/coffee, hot dogs and that after the walk.  Anyone who is interested in getting involved can contact Pieta House, said Joan Freeman.
This Year’s event followed the release of figures from Pieta House which showed an 81% rise in the number of people seeking their help in 2011.  As Pieta House’s services are free of charge, fundraisers such as Darkness into Light are vital to ensure that the organisation can continue to be available to those in crisis.  Yearly running costs are now at €1.4 million.