A Mountmellick man is hoping to raise €18,000 for GROW mental health charity through the proceeds of his new book.
‘Let Your Life Speak – Celebrating People of Laois’ is written as a book about a summary of the lives of 30 people either from, or who came to, Laois with their own story or attributes.
And it was officially launched by senator David Norris at Mountmellick Arts Centre on November 10.
Among the people featured in the book are: international rugby player Alison Miller, All-Star Pat Critchley and former Lord Mayor Johnny Conroy.
All proceeds from the sales of the book will be used to set up a new support centre for the GROW mental health charity in Mountmellick.
Posting on his Facebook page, Darren confirmed that the books have almost sold out.
He said: “I have only 30 books left out of 100 I had at Taylor & Conroy Clinic.
“There are also some left in All books & Easons Portlaoise and in Horan’s, O’Gorman’s newsagents, Hanlon’s and Ger Dunne shop Mountmellick.
“If you would like one for yourself or as a present for someone let me know as they will be sold out shorty.
“It was written as a book about a summary of the lives of 30 people either from or who came to Laois each with their own story or attributes.
“Very often we wait to reflect on people when they have passed on. Thankfully only four written about have. Jack O’ Brien passed away as book was going to print RIP.
“In a way this reminds us of the importance of writing things down for future generations. Partly this was one of the reasons for doing book to record things that may get forgotten or are not known at all.
“It is a positive as it reflects on their contributions and success while not ignoring some of their difficulties.
“The included are examples of the many that we can be proud of from community & charitable works, to gracing the fields of play, to pioneering research, to reaching the heights of career and sport, to representing us in politics, to bringing about changes to the law, as authors poets and on TV, to overcoming adversity, to teaching, to healing and selflessly giving of themselves to help others.
“Others may pick 30 different people, it would be difficult to reach a consensus on all who should be included.
“Sponsorship was sought for two reasons: to print book; and to carry money forward to support a Laois based Charity.
“The charity is GROW who are supporting the mental health needs of those who require their services.
“I chose this charity because I believe in the concept of giving back. When I was very young I dropped out of college to find myself in not so good a mind state.
“Now that I am up and running I wanted to donate all of this work and money raised to GROW to look after the mental health of others.
“Besides the satisfaction of doing this project that is all that is in it for me and I want it to be a success for those reasons.
“Every cent spent on this book goes back to Laois and to people who we may never know received the help of GROW.
“So many people from the committee, to our MC, to Senator Norris, to all help on the night, to sponsors and printers made this come to pass.
“Thank you all for your support. All going well we should raise €18,000.”
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