Fundraising for Shine
Celebrating stories that break down stereotypes, engage audiences and enhance the public’s understanding of mental health challenges.
Create your own Fundraiser
Thinking of doing something meaningful to support mental health? Whether you're running a race, organising a quiz night, celebrating a birthday or creating a tribute in memory of someone special, you can make a real difference by setting up a fundraising page or event for Shine. Every fundraiser helps us continue our vital work supporting people and families affected by mental illness. If you are honouring a loved one’s memory, your support is a powerful way to keep their light shining while helping others find hope. We are deeply grateful for your kindness and commitment. When you choose to fundraise for Shine, you stand with a community that believes in breaking stigma and building understanding. Thank you—your support truly means the world to us.
Corporate Partnership
"First, thank you. Thank you for even considering using your business to light the way for mental health support across Ireland. Because of compassionate companies like yours, real change happens — in workplaces, and in lives."
Nicola Byrne, CEO of Shine
When your company stands with Shine, you stand with every person finding their way through mental health challenges.
You and your team can change lives by:
- Becoming a Corporate Partner: Together, we can open doors to understanding and recovery.
- Empowering Your Employees: Fundraising and matching their gifts double the impact they make.
- Sponsoring an Event or Programme: Your support builds stronger communities and stronger workplaces.
- Bringing Mental Health to Your Workplace: Invite us in. Together, we’ll start real conversations with our Workplace Programme.
Because when your company cares, Ireland notices.
Let’s Build Something Together, contact Alison: amcdonnell@shine.ie
Community Fundraising
"When we created the Sea Your Strength challenge, it was inspired by what SHYTribe stands for — Strength Hidden in You. Mental health challenges have touched all of us in some way — whether through friends, family, or our own experiences. Dee suggested Shine after the heartbreaking loss of her friend Micheala. The compassion Shine brings to their work to support people through similar struggles deeply resonated with us. To stand beside them in any way we can is truly an honor. This challenge is about diving deep, finding your strength, and helping others do the same. Shine lives that mission every day, and we’re proud to walk alongside them."
Quote from Dee, Maria and Tash
Big change starts with small acts of kindness and people like you who care enough to act.
When you rally your family, friends, or neighbours for Shine, you are helping someone feel seen, heard, and valued.
- Host Your Own Fundraiser: No idea is too small. (We’ll cheer you on with toolkits and tips!)
- Join a Shine Event: Whether you lace up your runners or set the table for tea, you’ll be part of something bigger.
- Get Schools and Colleges Involved: Young people leading the way to a kinder world? Yes, please.
- Use Our Fundraising Tools: We’re here for you throughout. Need imagery? Sample posts? Posters or custom collateral? Want help telling your story in a way that feels true to you? Just reach out. All of the Shine team are here to help.
- Use the hashtag #ShineforMentalHealth – and show others they’re not alone.
- Send us your social handles – we’ll happily share and celebrate your efforts on our channels!
- Don’t forget many companies offer matched giving schemes. That means your supporters' donations could be doubled, just by asking their (or your) workplace. It’s worth checking as it could make a huge difference!
- One act of kindness. One fundraiser. One life changed.
Leave a Legacy
“When someone chooses to remember Shine in their will, it is one of the most humbling acts of kindness we can receive. A legacy gift speaks of hope—for a future where mental health is met with understanding and compassion. We are deeply indebted to those who have made this choice. Their quiet generosity becomes a lasting light for generations to come.”
— Nicola Byrne, CEO, Shine
Leave a Legacy of Hope
Every time you give, you make life brighter for someone who is struggling.
Give a One Time Gift: Your kindness today becomes someone’s courage tomorrow.
Become a Monthly Donor: Steady support. Steady hope. Month after month, you will be part of something beautiful.
Give in Memory or Tribute: Honour someone special by helping others heal.
When you give to Shine, you light a path for someone who needs it most. Thank you.
How to Include Shine in Your will
Leaving a gift in your will is easier than many people think. Whether you’re writing a new will or updating an existing one, your solicitor can guide you through the simple steps:
- Choose the type of gift you’d like to leave (see below)
- Share Shine’s details with your solicitor:
- Registered Charity Number: 20011512
- DOC, Block B, Maynooth Business Campus, Straffan Road, Maynooth, Co Kildare, W23 W5X7
- (Optional) Let us know so we can thank you and include you on our Legacy Wall. Alison would love to talk to you in confidence about it.
We’re Here to Talk
If you have any questions, need guidance, or just want to talk through your thoughts, please contact:
Alison McDonnell
Legacy Lead, Shine
amcdonnell@shine.ie
Your enquiry will be treated with warmth, confidentiality, and no obligation.
FrequentlyAsked Questions
You can leave:
- A residuary gift – a percentage of your estate after all other gifts and expenses are handled
- A pecuniary gift – a specific sum of money
- A specific gift – for example, shares, property, or valuables.
Your solicitor will advise on what suits your circumstances best.
Yes. You can do this easily using a legal form called a codicil, which makes changes to your current will without rewriting the whole thing. A solicitor can help with this quickly.
Absolutely. Every single legacy, no matter the size, adds up to life-changing support. You don’t have to be wealthy to make a difference.
While it's often best to leave your gift for Shine’s general work (so it can be used where the need is greatest), we’re happy to speak with you about areas of Shine’s work that matter most to you.
That’s perfectly okay. We’re here whenever you’re ready. Reach out to Alison McDonnell at amcdonnell@shine.ie for a confidential, no-pressure chat.
Take the Next Step Today
If you believe in Shine’s work and want your legacy to carry forward your care for others, please consider leaving a gift in your will. It's simple. It's powerful. And it can change lives.
Contact Alison McDonnell, Legacy Lead
amcdonnell@shine.ie
Together, we can light the way for generations to come.
Because the compassion you show today will echo long after tomorrow.
Learn About Legacy Giving and discuss in confidence with Alison McDonnell, Legacy Lead
Email: amcdonnell@shine.ie
Phone: 086 852 5558
Ways to Give
"Before we say anything else: thank you. Just by visiting this page, you’re showing that you care. And that simple act of kindness — of noticing — can change a life."
– Nicola Byrne, CEO of Shine
Every time you give, you make life brighter for someone who is struggling.
Give a One Time Gift: Your kindness today becomes someone’s courage tomorrow.
Become a Monthly Donor: Steady support. Steady hope. Month after month, you will be part of something beautiful.
Give in Memory or Tribute: Honour someone special by helping others heal.
When you give to Shine, you light a path for someone who needs it most. Thank you.
Freda’s Story
Hear first-hand how your fundraising efforts have an impact on people we work with. Freda and her family began accessing Shine’s services 20 years ago. You can watch her story here
“We did the Family Education 8 week programme and we actually said it at the time, it saved our lives because it gave us not only the information and knowledge that we needed about the illness and about psychosis in particular but it also put us in touch for the first time with our peers if you like, so in that room we met people just like ourselves”
- Freda