‘Magical Mayo’ calendar to raise money for Pieta House

‘Magical Mayo’ calendar to raise money for Pieta House


Ciara Galvin
ciaragalvin@mayonews.ie

Cong couple Margaret and Gerry Collins have recently launched their Magical Mayo Calendar 2013 which will go on sale in all participating outlets now and in the coming months.
Margaret and Gerry who run a hostel and caravan park in the ‘Quiet Man’ village came up with the idea last year in a bid to raise money for Pieta House. Pieta House specialises in the prevention of suicide and self-harm.
With their own family being touched by suicide five years ago, Margaret and Gerry came up with the initiative in the hope that all proceeds from the calendars could be donated to the service.
Speaking to The Mayo News about the launch, Margaret explained that she and her husband felt that they could do something to help by producing a calendar as they both have experience in tourism and business.
“We’re involved in tourism and we thought that a calendar of 12 beautiful and iconic images of Mayo would prove popular with tourists. We also thought that it would be a lovely gift that people could send to loved ones abroad,” said Margaret.
Before any plans could be put in place Margaret and Gerry had to first get permission from Pieta House to use their logo and to produce the calendar on behalf of the service.
“From first talking to Joan Freeman, CEO and founder of Pieta House to actually getting the calendars printed it took us about two months. It was a big rush as I kept thinking ‘I must do something about that’.”
Having funded the printing costs themselves, Margaret and Gerry hope that all proceeds of the calendars will go directly to Pieta House.
With people inquiring about the calendar and making orders already, Margaret acknowledges the generosity of people, noting that, ‘the Irish are always great to support everything’.
As 80 per cent of Pieta House’s income comes from fundraising events, the service relies heavily on the public to maintain the important work they undertake.
Retailers interested in stocking the Magical Mayo Calendar 2013 can contact Margaret and Gerry on 094 9546293 or email info@quietman-cong.com.
With World Suicide Prevention Day coming up, on September 10, the Irish Countrywoman’s Association have teamed up with Suicide or Survive with the aim of raising awareness of mental health issues and working towards the eradication of suicide in Irish society.
The two organisations have launched their “High Tea & Talk” campaign – encouraging members of the ICA to run tea mornings for families, friends or colleagues with the aim of raising funds and, at the same time, getting people to talk openly about mental health. The campaign will run from September 7 to 10, 2012.

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