Mental health campaigner named Limerick Person of the Month

KARL DALY, a mental health campaigner and organiser of charity fundraising events, has been named the Limerick Person of the Month.

Mr Daly organises the annual Music for Mental Health concert which raises funds for charities while offering a stage for local artists to perform on.

The event, which first took place in 2018, sees organisers ask companies to donate money in exchange for tickets to the event.

Launched as a once-off fundraiser, the event was such a success that within three years it raised €57,500 for a variety of good causes.

This year, Music for Mental Health donated all funds to Limerick Suicide Watch, Blue Box, as well as Corpus Christi Primary School.

After a “tough” few years due to the pandemic, the Monaleen native said the event returned with a bang this year.

“We were back this year with a full audience and we had lots of acts, over a dozen people on stage and 300 people at the event.

“We had huge support from Limerick businesses as well. Businesses brought their teams along and it was a great night out. 

“We had all sorts of musical acts from folk to opera and we raised 15,000 for the three charities”.

The 60-year-old explained why events to raise money and awareness surrounding mental health are so important.

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”The concert was to raise awareness around mental health which we all know these days a lot of people are struggling with.

“Young, old, rich, poor, it doesn't matter, mental illness doesn't discriminate.

“Everyone is finding the world difficult at the moment for different reasons”.

Mr Daly, who is a father-of-two, is the Director of Moore IE, an accountancy and business advisory company.

Through his work he also organises the Moore Morning Run.

The event takes place the first Friday of every month and sees runners from all over Limerick unite to get some fresh air and get talking. 

The run will celebrate one year in April and the Limerick office is set to host a global event that will see people working at Moore's 228 offices around the world take part in a social ambition programme. 

Mr Daly also contributes to the charity and volunteer network in Limerick in his role as a Social Impact Specialist for Humanli. 

The pioneering social impact specialists help make a lasting positive impact on communities on behalf of companies, charities and community groups who need an advisory network with rigorous vetting processes to guide financial and volunteering resources.

The Limerick Person of the Month award is sponsored by the Limerick Leader, media agency Southern, and the Clayton Hotel.