At a recent meeting of the Macra na Feirme national council, held in the Irish Farm Centre, a cheque for €10,678 was presented to Sarah Surgenor, head of communications and fundraising at St Patrick’s Mental Health Services. The cheque included a split of the proceeds of the calendar initiative between St Patrick’s Mental Health Services/Walk in My Shoes and Macra na Feirme.

Speaking at the presentation, Macra na Feirme national president Seán Finan said: “I would like to acknowledge and thank all the Macra na Feirme members who participated in the calendar initiative. This money will help St Patrick’s Mental Health Services to provide mental health education to communities around the country as part of its advocacy campaign, Walk in My Shoes.”

Sarah Surgenor said: “The aim of the campaign is to promote mental health awareness, educate people in schools, colleges, companies and communities across Ireland on the warning signs and support services available to them. This funding will allow us to increase our footprint and stamp out mental health stigma.”

The calendar was launched at the National Ploughing Championships in September 2015. Macra na Feirme continues to promote positive mental health by encouraging social interaction and participation in the six key programme areas of activity: agriculture, sport, public speaking, performing arts, travel and community involvement.