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Chris Kitchen, Triathlon Ireland; Elaine Austin, Pieta House; Laura Condron, BMW Ireland; and Adrian Barry from Off The Ball.
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Each year, BMW Group Ireland employees nominate a chosen charity and this year Pieta House, Ireland's leading suicide prevention charity, was chosen because it is addressing one of the most pressing social issues today; mental health, writes Trish Whelan.
This year, Triathletes from across Ireland will raise money to help suicide prevention through the joint initiative between Triathlon Ireland, BMW Ireland, and the charity.
Funds raised will go towards Pieta House’s ‘A Life a Day’ initiative which focuses on raising money for the cost of a full programme of counselling for someone who is suffering with their mental health. Funds will also support the Resilience Academy, an initiative by Pieta House which teaches school-going children positive mental health techniques and strategies.
This is a six-week, evidence-based programme designed ‘with schools, for school’s. It aims to provide students with the skills and coping mechanisms needed to succeed in school and throughout their adult life.
Any participant who signs up for an event that is sanctioned by Triathlon Ireland will be able to raise funds for Pieta House during their Triathlon journey. The hastag is #Tri4Pieta. This initiative is being support by BMW Ireland, Triathlon Ireland’s title sponsor.
Off The Ball are also getting involved by taking part in their first Triathlon as a team to raise funds for Pieta House. On 15 June, all six presenters from the sports media company will take part in the Boland’s BMW Hook or by Crook Triathlon in Dunmore East.
The CEO of Triathlon Ireland, Chris Kitchen, is urging the sport’s 20,000 participants to get on board and help fundraise for a worthy cause.
Last year, BMW Group Ireland raises €25,000 for Temple Street National Children’s Hospital and it is anticipated that they will exceed this amount for Pieta House during 2019.
In addition to the Darkness into Light Walk, BMW Ireland’s network along with friends and family have pledged to fundraise throughout the year with a charity cycle from Dublin to Belfast in one day on 24 May, doing the Boland’s BMW Hook or by Crook Triathlon in Dunmore East, and Two Provinces Triathlon in Lanesborough, Co Longford on 13 July.
