Laois suicide prevention charity centre 'at risk of closing'
A Portlaoise drop-in suicide prevention centre has said it is in danger of closing down due to lack of funding, just over a year since it opened.
The Laois branch of SOSAD Ireland, the mental health support charity, opened in April 2022 at Shamrock House on the Abbeyleix Road in Portlaoise.
They offer free professional counselling sessions to anyone in need, funded by donations raised in Laois, with any money raised kept in Laois for local support. It is one of seven SOSAD centres around Ireland.
However with no Government funding, the centre is on the edge of closure, according to one of its founders, local mental health advocate Christy Bannon.
"SOSAD are holding a golf classic to raise desperately needed funds. Without any Government funding SOSAD is trying to provide support in our community to save the lives of our friends and family. We are at risk of closing unless we can raise funds in the short term.
"We are incredibly busy providing desperately needed support for people from all over Laois, and need the funds to keep going," Christy explains.
He is asking for a big turnout for the golf classic, which will take place in Portlaoise Golf Club on Friday and Saturday, September 8 and 9.
Tee times are available on Friday from 2 to 5pm and on Saturday from 8am to 5pm. Teams of four €100.
There will be prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places, plus lots more prizes on the day. To book, call the clubhouse or via BRS on the Portlaoise Golf Club website.
Meanwhile, the charity volunteers are on hand at the two huge Laois events this September.
SOSAD Laois will be helping out at the Wellness hub in Electric Picnic. Then from September 19 to 21 more volunteers will be manning the fun Welly Throwing Stand in the National Ploughing Championships.