Limerick Suicide Watch named Sarsfield Credit Union's new charity partner
The charity was formed in May 2016 with limited volunteers and has grown to a 55-strong team
SARSFIELD Credit Union has announced Limerick Suicide Watch as its chosen Charity Partner for 2025.
Limerick Suicide Watch (LSW) said it was "grateful" to everyone who voted for them at the credit union.
PRO, Audrey Ellis said: We are thrilled. It will be used to help update equipment, personal safety gear, personal flotation devices etc. We would like to thank all the members who voted for us and Patrick Flaherty and staff (of) Sarsfield Credit Union."
(LSW) is fully funded through public donations. A lot of their funding goes towards riverside training and child protection training. “We all have to be certified in all courses to be prepared for anything that could happen,” stated Audrey.
The charity was formed in May 2016 with limited volunteers and has grown to a 55-strong team of volunteers since then.
Audrey explained that LSW keep an eye on people that are showing signs of distress or that could be contemplating suicide by patrolling the bridges and the area along the River Shannon in the city centre.
“We patrol four nights a week for a minimum of four hours. We don't do less than that, some nights we could be out six, seven hours.”
Audrey said they're updating their equipment at the moment. “We have a thermal camera and all that, but it has to be updated... For each person to go out at night, it costs them by the time they're all equipped, their training, and everything costs about €650.”
LSW depends on donations and fundraising events to help fund its day-to-day operation.
The voluntary group is seeking a new base as they have to leave their current base at the rear of the Tate Centre next year. Audrey said they're trying to secure a permanent base but haven't found anywhere suitable yet.
Sarsfield Credit Union, based at the junction of Glentworth Street and Catherine Street picked three charities, and over the last few weeks, asked its members which one should become the member's partner for the New Year. They were Limerick Suicide Watch, BlueBox and Blood Bikes Mid West.