Shine Calls for Support as Service Demand Surges: Staff, Ambassadors, and Sporting Stars Gear Up to Abseil Croke Park for Mental Health

Shine Calls for Support as Service Demand Surges: Staff, Ambassadors, and Sporting Stars Gear Up to Abseil Croke Park for Mental Health

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July 1^st, 2025. Friday, 11th July will see a courageous team of Shine staff, volunteers, Ambassadors, supporters, and sporting heroes take on a daring abseil from the rooftop of Croke Park. This is all to raise funds for Shine, a national mental health organisation experiencing a sharp rise in demand for its services.

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Among those stepping off the iconic Hogan Stand are Tom Parsons, CEO of the Gaelic Players Association (GPA), and a team of former Kilkenny hurlers, including Michael Fennelly and Eoin McGrath, joined by their club teammates Michael Dermody and David Shore, representing Shamrocks Ballyhale and St. Martin’s.

The event is a key part of Shine’s fundraising efforts as it responds to a growing mental health crisis across Ireland.

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Nicola Byrne, CEO of Shine, who is herself doing the abseil, said: “2024 has been a landmark year for Shine. We have seen a 41.5% increase in new recovery clients and a 13.1% rise in recovery appointments. Demand is growing fast, and so is the need for sustained funding to keep up with that need. This abseil is about raising funds, but it’s also about sending a message: it takes bravery to ask for help, to speak about your experience, and to push back against stigma. That’s the kind of courage we’re honouring on the 11th of July.”

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Over the past year, Shine has:

• Doubled participation in peer and relative support groups.
• Delivered 237 community events with over 10,800 attendees.
• Run its biggest-ever Green Ribbon campaign, distributing over 600,000 ribbons and working with more than 100 corporate and 83 public sector partners.
• Delivered education to 339 media professionals and students through 25 workshops on responsible reporting of mental illness and suicide.

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Tom Parsons, GPA CEO, said: “I’m proud to take part in the Croke Park abseil for Shine because mental health is something that affects every dressing room, every family, and every community in Ireland. As a player, I know how important it is to have support when things feel overwhelming and that’s exactly what Shine provides to people across the country every day. This abseil is a chance to show that facing new challenges, whether it’s abseiling from the roof of Croke Park or speaking up about your mental health, is important. I’m doing this to stand in solidarity with the many people Shine supports every year, and to help end the stigma that still holds too many people back from getting help.”

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The sports world is lending strong support, with hurling greats backing the cause.

‍Speaking on behalf of the Kilkenny contingent, Michael Fennelly said:
“This is a great opportunity to raise much-needed funds for mental health and also have a different but enjoyable experience in the hallowed grounds of Croke Park.”

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Shine is calling on the public to sponsor participants, donate, or share the campaign to raise awareness and funds.

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Nicola Byrne added:
“We know times are tough for many, but mental health doesn’t wait. Every donation, no matter the size, helps us keep our services going and lets people know they are not alone.”

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The Shine Abseil Challenge takes place on Friday, 11th July at Croke Park. To find out more about how to take part and/or support, go to: https://www.shine.ie/info/abseil-for-shine-2025  

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Use this link to donate directly: https://www.shine.ie/donate  

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To learn more about Shine’s work go to www.shine.ie