Balloon release in aid of Living Links in Nenagh
A balloon release is planned at Nenagh's Banba Square this week as a local group aims to raise funds and awareness for suicide prevention.
People will be invited to make a donation of just €1 for a helium balloon on the night of Wednesday next, August 30th. All of the balloons will be released over the town at 8pm and the monies collected will be donated to Living Links. Those in attendance can also opt to light a candle or blow bubbles in what is hoped will be an ambient event, complemented with acoustic music from local duo Slow Seas.
It's all part of the first in a series of upcoming novel events being organised by Semicolon Project Nenagh. The recently formed group is calling on people to join in acts of solidarity in the fight against suicide, a subject its members say we need to talk about more.
Formed in reaction to a high number of recent suicides in North Tipperary, the group uses the semicolon to symbolise that “Your story isn't over yet.” Last January the group staged at “tattoo day” at Nenagh's Razor's Edge barber shop, when almost 200 people got semicolon tattoos in a pioneering initiative that his since been replicated in Thurles and Roscrea. Attended by people from all over the country, the event started by Semicolon Project Nenagh is moving to Kildare next.
Locally, the group has another fundraiser coming up on September 9th when a darts tournament will be held at Seymour's pub in Portroe. This event is in aid of Nenagh Ormond Search & Rescue, volunteers of which are frequently called into action locally when someone goes missing, often as a result of emotional distress. Also in September, members of the group are planning to offer “free hugs” to people on the streets of Nenagh, an initiative seeking to break social disconnectivity and brighten up people's lives.
Semicolon Project Nenagh is comprised of Tanya De Vito McMahon, Mary McLoughlin, Jordan Burke, Elle Mulqueen and Andrea De Vito, along with tattoo artists Johnny Mitchell and Tom Carroll. Saddened by people resorting to taking their own lives in the local area, the group wants people to talk about suicide and mental health issues. They want people to be aware of the support that exists in and around this community and to seek help for their problems.
Promoting the message: “It's OK not to be OK”, Semicolon Project Nenagh has access to a trained counsellor. Its members encourage anyone wanting to talk about problems to make contact in confidence through their Facebook page, Semicolon Project Nenagh.
All are welcome to remember a loved one lost through suicide by releasing a balloon next week, and people can give anything they want over the minimum donation of €1 to Living Links, the locally founded national outreach and support service to people bereaved by suicide. People are asked to gather at Banba Square around 7.45pm and the balloons will be released at 8pm. Watch the Facebook page for further updates.