Over 200 DCU students will be involved in DCUtv’s annual Christmas 24 Hour Broadcast on December 4th in aid of Jigsaw.
Jigsaw operates under Headstrong, a non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting communities and statutory services in providing mental health support to youths, and changing how Ireland thinks about mental health. Jigsaw offers free mental health care in over ten communities across the country.
“We can’t wait to raise as much money as we can this year for such a worthy cause. Depression and anxiety affect so many young people in Ireland and this is our chance to do our bit to help erase the stigma surrounding mental health” says MPS chairperson Emma Kavanagh.
Presenters Andrew Gleeson and Siobhán Ní Thaidhg have been spending a lot of time practicing for their on screen debut.“We’ve been scripting shows, pre-recording ads and writing scripts for presenting” says Andrew.
Andrew believes Jigsaw is “dealing with one of the most relevant issues today, for students in particular.”
Thrilled to be hosting the broadcast, Siobhan says they are putting a big push on fundraising outside the broadcast this year and are encouraging people to get involved outside of those 24 hours.
Last year the broadcast raised over €5,000 for the Histiocytosis Research Trust.
This year DCUtv station manager Eoin Luc O’Ceallaigh is “hoping to smash that again this year” with a “bigger and better broadcast than ever”.
Siobhan says new students have been very involved in preparations for the broadcast this year. “The first year students have been getting extremely involved by producing top quality ads.”
This years flagship shows are ‘The Apprentice’ and ‘Double in Paradise’.
Bank of Ireland will be supporting the event once again this year as the main sponsor. Lisa Kirby, treasurer for MPS, says “the event could not be done without the amazing help we get from Bank of Ireland every year”.
Domino’s Pizza, Nando’s, Camille Thai, Macari’s, Centra and DCU’s restaurant will be providing food for the broadcast crew over the 24 hours.
The broadcast, held in DCU’s Henry Grattan building, will be streamed live on Youtube from 9pm for 24 hours.
By Alana Laverty
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