Kilkenny club raises enough cash for 62 therapy sessions

The unique cricket and hurling event at Castle Blunden raised enough money to provide funding for 62 free counselling sessions for people in need.

Figures from both sports came together for the unique sporting showcase at Kilkenny Cricket Club. TJ Reid, the Downey sisters and Eddie Keher were just some of the names in attendance as club loyalties were put aside to support local mental health charity Teac Tom.

Following the fundraiser, organiser Patrick Blunden said the funds raised were vital in offering people struggling with mental-health with an avenue to support on their doorstep.

"We raised around €2,800 in the end, a session costs about €45 that equates to about 62 sessions so it’s a great result," Mr Blunden said.

"Teac Tom is always going to struggle to raise money, everything raised is to keep it running and very little goes on administration so it goes directly to where it’s needed", he added, pinpointing difficiencies in mental-health services within the HSE as a reason people from Kilkenny and beyond walk through the doors of Teac Tom and other community mental-health services on a daily basis.

Mr Blunden believes the day was a huge boost for mental health awareness and the growth of cricket in Kilkenny.

"We were delighted to see so many people we hadn't seen before on the grounds. We didn’t have a clue how many people would be there, we were competing with other activities on the day," he said.

"We ended up with 450/500 people which is what I was hoping for," he added.

Mr Blunden concluded by thanking the volunteers, sponsors and players for their contribution on the day, stating the event’s success may lead to its return in the future.