Triathlon Ireland has today announced that it is supporting mental
health with a significant alliance with Pieta House, Ireland’s leading
suicide prevention charity. This year, triathletes across Ireland will
raise money to help suicide prevention through a joint initiative
between Triathlon Ireland, BMW Ireland and Pieta House.
Funds that are raised will contribute to Pieta House’s ‘A Life a Day’
initiative which focuses on raising money for the cost of a full
programme of counselling for someone 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. The Resilience Academy is a
six-week, evidence-based programme that was designed ‘with schools,
for schools’. The programme aims is to provide students with the
skills and coping mechanisms needed to succeed in school and
throughout their adult lives.
Any participant who signs up for an event that is sanctioned by
Triathlon Ireland will have the opportunity to raise funds for Pieta
House during their Triathlon journey. There is a hashtag for to try
and raise as much awareness and funds for Pieta House;
#Tri4Pieta. This initiative is being supported by BMW
Ireland, Triathlon Ireland’s title sponsor.
Off The Ball are also getting involved by partaking in their first
Triathlon as a team to raise funds for Pieta House. On the
15th June, all six presenter from the popular sports media
company will partake in the Bolands 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:
“The work that Pieta House does is not only lifesaving but life
changing and Triathlon Ireland is proud to be joining our official
partners BMW to team up with Pieta House. Sport and exercise can play
a huge role in physical and mental wellbeing and linking this worthy
cause to our sport is for me a perfect match. “
Mr Kitchen continued: “I would urge every member and every triathlon
club in Ireland to join us in adopting Pieta House as their nominated
charity for 2019. We have more than 18,000 participants each year and
just look what a significant difference we could make to Pieta House
if we all gave €10 each so let’s show what a truly generous bunch us
triathletes are and do some fund raising.”
“Each year BMW Group Ireland employees nominate a chosen charity and
this year Pieta House was chosen because the charity is addressing one
of the most pressing social issues today; mental health. We are
humbled by the work Pieta House undertakes and are keen to raise as
much funds as we can for the A Life a Day and the Resilience Academy
programmes”, said Paulo Alves, Managing Director, BMW Group Ireland.
Kieran Brady, Director Funding & Advocacy Pieta House said: “We
would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to Triathlon Ireland and
BMW Group Ireland for supporting ‘A Life a Day’ initiative and the
Resilience Academy, a key pillar in the Pieta House suicide prevention
service. Triathlon Ireland will help us reach over 7,500 students
nationwide. We are extremely appreciative for their support and
fundraising which will go a long way to significantly improve the
capability of adolescents to recognise and deal with difficulties
around stigma and identity. The program encourages students to reach
out early and preventing them arriving at a point of crisis”.
Brady added “Our vision at Pieta House is a world where suicide,
self-harm, and stigma have been replaced by hope, self-care, and
acceptance. Triathlon Ireland & BMW Group Ireland are with us in
providing mental health education for young people, focusing on
practical skills to help students understand their emotions and
develop techniques to cope with anxiety.”
Last year, BMW Group Ireland raised €25,000 for Temple Street
National Children’s Hospital and it is anticipated that the company
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 24th
May, doing the Bolands BMW Hook or by Crook Triathlon in Dunmore East
and Two Provinces Triathlon in Lanesborogh, Co. Longford on 13th July.
To find out more on how to get involved or donate please visit https://www.triathlonireland.com/Get-Involved/Tri4Pieta/
-ENDS-
Image 1: Chris Kitchen, Triathlon Ireland, Elaine
Austin Pieta House, Laura Condron BMW Ireland and Adrian Barry from
Off The Ball.
Image 2: Chris Kitchen, Triathlon Ireland, Elaine
Austin Pieta House, Laura Condron BMW Ireland and Adrian Barry from
Off The Ball.
Image 3: Using the campaign hashtag #Tri4Pieta BMW,
Triathlon Ireland and Off The Ball are encouraging sports enthusiasts
to Try a triathlon this summer and raise funds for Pieta House.
About Triathlon Ireland
Triathlon Ireland is the National Governing Body for one of Ireland’s
most dynamic and inclusive sports. Since the first triathlon event was
held in north Co. Dublin in the early 1980s, the sport of triathlon
has experienced unprecedented growth to the extent that Ireland now
ranks fifth in the world for participation rates in triathlon per head
of capita.
From its roots as a sport for the ultra-fit, triathlon has become a
mass participation activity for all ages and abilities. Triathlon
Ireland is proud of its 35% female participation rate and good
governance standards that lead amongst Irish sporting bodies.
About The BMW Group
With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW
Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and
motorcycles and also provides premium financial and mobility services.
The BMW Group production network comprises 30 production and assembly
facilities in 14 countries; the company has a global sales network in
more than 140 countries.
The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term
thinking and responsible action. The company has therefore established
ecological and social sustainability throughout the value chain,
comprehensive product responsibility and a clear commitment to
conserving resources as an integral part of its strategy.
About Pieta House
Pieta House was founded in Lucan, Co Dublin, in 2006 and now has 15
centres across Ireland. Pieta offers free counselling to those
suffering from suicidal ideation, those who have been bereaved by
suicide and people who are engaging in self-harm. Staff are fully
qualified and provide a professional one-to-one therapeutic service.
Pieta House also operates a free 24-hour suicide helpline 1800 247 247
or you can also text HELP to 51444 (standard message rates apply). For
all details and information on Pieta House go to
www.pieta.ie.
Media Contact:
BMW Group Ireland | Laura Condron laura.condron@bmw.ie | 086 0477549
Media Contact
Kevin Keane., Head of Communications, Marketing and Sponsorship
kevin@triathlonireland.com
087 6525412
Amy Bramley
Communications & Brand Executive | Pieta House | 085 8713322
amy.bramley@pieta.ie