You could win a Lucan apartment for the “price of a takeaway pizza”

A MAN who is raffling off his Lucan apartment for the “price of a takeaway pizza” is looking to raise over €100,000 for mental health charities in Ireland following the death of his brother to suicide.

Keith Mooney is raffling off his 1500sq feet 3 bed, 2-bathroom fully furnished apartment in The Paddocks Crescent in Lucan, with over €100,000 of the proceeds going to Pieta House and other mental health charities in Ireland.

With raffle tickets priced at €17.50 for the apartment which is valued at €360,000, Keith says it could be a life changing prize for somebody.

“I came across the idea after I saw a family do it up in Donegal during the early part of this year and I thought it was a good novel way during Covid to keep me busy and to give something back as well,” Keith told The Echo.

“With the current property market conditions in Ireland denying so many people the chance to own their own home, this is an opportunity to own your dream home for only €17.50. No mortgage, no rent, no legal fees and no stamp duty – all covered. Someone can focus on moving in and making memories for them and their family.”

The opportunity to give back to mental health and suicide prevention charities such as Pieta House is something that is close to Keith’s heart, as his own brother Stuart passed away aged 24 from suicide on Christmas day 17 years ago.

“We decided that Pieta House will receive 50% of our charitable donations. I have had an affiliation with them for a number of years having used many of their services myself,” Keith explained.

“My brother passed away on Christmas day after struggling with mental health and addiction issues, so that was one of the reasons why we said that Christmas time would be a good time to do it and try get a bit of joy into people’s lives.”

Clondalkin comedian Enya Martin (Giz A Laugh) has also come on board to help promote the competition, and suggested Pieta House as one of the main beneficiary’s as it is one close to her own family’s heart due to a close friend who died of suicide.

The rest of the funds will be split between seven charities which are all closely related to mental health in Ireland. They are, 3TS – Turn the Tide of Suicide, ALONE Ireland, Asiam.ie, Aware Carmha Ireland, Shannon’s Hopeline CLG and SOSAD Ireland.

Keith says he hopes that this is the first step of a bigger plan and hopes to open a retreat for those who are struggling with mental health issues in the future.

“The ultimate goal further down the line is to eventually buy a little bit of land and a small house and set up a retreat,” he said. “The whole idea would be to have somewhere for people who are suffering from mental health and addiction can come down and just switch off and get away from it all.”

Tickets are on sale now and available through the “Win A Home In Dublin” Facebook or Instagram pages.

The competition is being run through the website Raffall.com and the end date is February 15 or when all tickets are sold.