Roscommon town native, Ruth McCourt, played a leading role in Helplink Mental Health’s recent #Coldtober campaign, aimed at raising much needed funds and awareness for the Galway and Mayo-based counselling service.
This week, Ruth spoke to the Roscommon People about the campaign, which raised a whopping €129,000.
“I’m delighted with the overall success of #Coldtober! I joined Helplink Mental Health the end of August to take on the part-time contract of Marketing and Fundraising Manager and to manage the Coldtober campaign,” Ruth explained.
“The campaign is about raising awareness of the importance of mental health services, and to help break the stigma in Ireland around mental health.
“Last year, €15,000 was raised during the campaign, and my target for this year was to raise was €30,000 and I’m delighted to say that the final amount is a whopping €129,000”.
Ruth says the money raised has already been put to good use.
“Four new counsellors have been hired to keep up with the demand for the Helplink services since the initial promotion of Coldtober, and the money raised will go towards the overall running of the organisation, and to open a third office in Athlone for people in County Roscommon and the Midlands,” she said.
“As well as managing the campaign I took part each day in a 7.30 am swim for the 31-day Sea Swimming Challenge. December is too cold for me so I’m taking a break after the hectic few months but I have developed a love for sea swimming over last 2 years and I can’t wait to get back to it in the New Year!”
