Armagh Club, Na Piarsaigh Oga, recently completed a 5K club challenge to raise awareness and funds for suicide prevention & mental health and the palliative care provided by the Southern Area Hospice Services.

The club challenged its members and supporters to take on a 5K walk, run or cycle either as individuals or families wearing their club jersey or colours on a day and time that suited them between June 1^st and June 15^th with donations going directly to the clubs 2 chosen charities.  Not only was the aim to raise funds and awareness for PIPS Hope & Support and Southern Area Hospice, but to promote physical and mental wellbeing amongst its members and players of all ages whilst club activities were postponed.

On completion, Declan McCauley, Na Piarsaigh Oga’s Health & Wellbeing Officer accompanied by underage players Finn, Cormac & Muireann McAuley and club sponsor Fergal Duffy from Demesne Mechanical & Electrical Ltd presented PIPS Hope & Support and Southern Area Hospice with the proceeds totalling a remarkable £3,088.39 with each of the charities receiving a superb £1,544.00 on July 14^th in Newry.

Speaking at the cheque presentation, Declan, thanked all club members, players and their families for participating and/or donating to their initiative in anyway; "During the recent pandemic, with all club activities being cancelled, the club decided to give something back whilst promoting positive mental and physical wellbeing amongst players, members and their families by challenging them to a 5K walk, run or cycle and donating to our 2 chosen charities who we know need us now more than ever with many of their own fundraising initiatives cancelled or postponed.  As a club, we were delighted to see so many participate and help to raise this astonishing amount of funds for these vital charities.  The club would like to thank all our members for the continued support and we wish all our members, family and friends continued good physical and mental health.  Thanks also to Conor from ACDC signs for the design of the poster and anyone who helped in any way possible.”

PIPS Hope & Support fundraising coordinator, Padraig Harte thanked Declan and Na Piarsaigh Oga for their donation and the immense awareness they created for the charity during their initiative.  “PIPS Hope and Support thank Declan and all involved with Na Piarsaigh Oga for their amazing effort in undertaking this club challenge to raise the much-required funds and awareness for our charity.  With many of our own events cancelled or postponed, the monies donated will allow PIPS Hope and Support to continue providing immediate therapy to anyone within the community experiencing suicidal thoughts, high levels of anxiety, poor mental health or bereaved through suicide.  We wish the club every success for the future.”