Ifa fundraiser for pieta house at north tipp show

The local branch of the Irish Farmers Association is always much to the fore at the North Tipp Show, but this year it will be so with a difference.
The IFA is holding a fundraiser for Pieta House, the national centre for the prevention of suicide and self-harm. Its members will be holding a raffle with some great prizes to be won, the draw for which will be held on the evening of the show. They will also have a pig-on-a-spit, provided by Clive Clarke of Cloughjordan.
North Tipp IFA Chairman Tim Cullinane says the association wants to raise awareness of and funds for the Mid West branch of Pieta House, which is based in Limerick. It also has a centre in Roscrea. Mr Cullinan said the IFA is concerned about suicide and mental health problems for male farmers – and indeed people in general –  in rural areas.
“I have spoken to the people that run Pieta House,” he said. “One concern that we have is rural isolation. There has been a problem of rural people living on their own and not communicating. We want to highlight that this service is there and encourage people to give them a call if necessary.”
Pieta House provides professional, face-to-face and free-of-charge therapeutic services to people who are feeling suicidal, and their families. Founded by psychologist Joan Freeman, the primary aim of Pieta House is to reduce suicide by helping people get through that critical phase when suicide becomes a plan rather than just an idea.
Demand is constantly on the rise for the services provided by Pieta House. Mr Cullinan said the number of people presenting to the Mid West service has been increasing steadily. But the vast majority of the organisation's income comes from fundraising events and the service remains heavily reliant on volunteers. 
As usual, the IFA will have a large stand at this year's show manned by members of the North Tipp committee. Mr Cullinan encouraged people to visit and obtain useful information about what is going on in this area.