Benefit night to raise money for Pieta House
A TALLAGHT man is appealing for the community’s help to raise money for Pieta House, as he will host a benefit night for people affected by suicide, on Friday April 27 in the Maldron Hotel in Tallaght.
Friends Mark Byrne and Zara Keenan are hoping to raise €5,000 for Pieta House, the suicide and self harm crisis centre, with a benefit night that will remember those in the Tallaght community who have been lost to suicide.
Friends Zara Keenan and Mark Byrne are organising event
Mark said he had heard of “too many” suicides in the Tallaght area in recent months and said that he and Zara had both previously experienced the loss of friends and family to suicide.
“It’s an epidemic in Tallaght,” Mark said. “This [event] is a way to bring people in the community together.”
Mark said that after appealing for raffle prizes on Facebook, he had received a “rapid response” of people offering prize hampers.
He also thanked the Maldron Hotel for donating the suite and in-house DJ for the benefit night.
Mark and Zara are hoping to receive further sponsorship from businesses, including a hotel stay as a raffle prize and a games installation.
The two friends hope to have a photobooth “for people to make memories” and a Tree of Hope, as well as a Wall of Hope on the night, where people can place photos of loved ones lost to suicide.
The Fettercairn man said: “It’s going to be an emotional night, but we want to make it as fun as possible.”
The Echo reported last year that Pieta House are expected to open a new centre on the Greenhills Road this month.
Donations can be made online at https://www.gofundme.com/suicide-awearness
Tickets for the event will be €10 and can be bought at the door on Friday April 27 or by emailing markbyrne63@gmail.com
TAGS Tallaght
