Charity rugby match for Suicide or Survive
By Mary Dennehy
A TALLAGHT firefighter has kicked a Dublin Fire Brigade charity rugby match into play, with members of the public invited to back the event – which will see all funds raised going to Suicide or Survive.
Originally from Aylesbury, Keith Mason, who is based at Tallaght Fire Station, is the chairman of the Dublin Fire Brigade rugby club.
The launch in Tallaght Fire Station. Photo by Trevor Hunt, Dublin Fire Brigade
On Saturday, November 24, the DFB squad will take on the Dail/Seanad rugby team, which is captained by Senator Neale Richmond, in a charity clash for Suicide or Survive (SOS).
Speaking with The Echo, Keith said: “Unfortunately we see a lot of suicide [in our line of work] and it is nice for us to try and help our community and the wider community by fundraising for Suicide or Survive.
“I put it out to the members of the rugby team to suggest charities and a few of lads suggested that we do something for mental health awareness.
“It’s a great cause, a noble cause and we didn’t have to think twice when Suicide or Survive was suggested as the charity.”
An Irish charity, Suicide or Survive, aims to support people to cultivate good mental health while reducing stigma around mental health illness, leading to less death by suicide.
The charity match will be held in Donnybrook Stadium on November 24, and Keith has invited members of the community to tag along – with a fire engine also attending on the day for little ones.
A donation can be made to a bucket collection in the stand, or DFB crews will be staging bucket collections for SOS at various shopping centres in the run-up to the match.
Recently, Senator Richmond and Catherine Redmond of Suicide or Survive visited Tallaght Fire Station to officially launch the event, which is being sponsored by Sky Ireland.
For further details visit the Dublinfirebrigaderugby Facebook page, where there is also a link to an online donation page.
For further details on Suicide or Survive visit www.suicideorsurvive.ie
