Normal People's Paul Mescal raffles Connell's chain for Pieta House

Normal People star Paul Mescal is raffling off a chain similar to the one adorned by his on-screen character, Connell, to raise money for mental health and counselling service Pieta House.

Funding for the service has dropped significantly this year due to its annual national Darkness Into Light fundraising drive being postponed owing to the Covid-19 pandemic.

However, former GAA standout Mescal, whose portrayal of Connell in the BBC/RTÉ co-production has received rave reviews, is offering one of his own personal chains, as he gave the one worn in the show to his co-star, Daisy Edgar Jones.

Speaking on the raffle, Mescal says: “I am delighted to be able to help Pieta by raffling off one of my own chains. Pieta is a cause very close to my heart, having experienced loss due to suicide in my local town while growing up.

"Suicide and depression are themes directly linked to Normal People, especially around episodes 9 and 10, which is why I want to help those in similar situations.“

The raffle is open online from today until June 8th, and is available to enter here.

Pieta House, established in 2006, provides free crisis intervention services to those experiencing suicidal ideation, those engaging in self-harm, and those bereaved by suicide.

In 2019 alone, there were 13,705 phone calls answered and 31,139 text messages replied to via the 24-hour helpline services.

To avail of Pieta’s services free of charge, please visit pieta.ie for all Centre contact details. Pieta provides 24/7 support – if you are suicidal, self-harming or bereaved you can contact Pieta 24/7 via the Freephone helpline on 1800 247 247.

You can also text HELP to 51444 (standard message rates apply). For further information on Pieta and its services, visit pieta.ie.

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