All rise! Bar announces record breaking funds raised for AWARE

Bar announces record breaking funds raised for AWARE to conclude “Mental Health Awareness Week 2019”

To mark Mental Health Awareness Week 2019 the Bar of Northern Ireland is delighted to reveal it has raised a record breaking £82,500 for AWARE, a leading mental health charity in Northern Ireland.

This is the largest amount ever raised by the Bar and is a tribute to those who organised and attended and contributed to our charity events such as the Bar Library Annual Charity Ball, the “Battle of the Barristers” Slieve Donard climb, the “Woofy Walk”, Santa at the Bar Library, the annual “Frock Swap” and the Laganside 10k run.

Adele O’Grady QC, Chair of the Charity Committee said: “I cannot think of a better way to conclude Mental Health Awareness Week than celebrating this record-breaking amount for AWARE, a charity which works to support so many people living with mental health issues and their families across Northern Ireland. I would like to thank every one of my colleagues at the Bar for their incredible support and generosity - and in particular the members of the Charity Committee for their enthusiasm, determination and sheer hard work.”

Karen Collins, AWARE CEO added “AWARE, the depression charity for Northern Ireland, was delighted to be chosen as the Bar’s charity partner and it was a great partnership to be involved in with so many creative and fun fundraising activities led by the Bar. The phenomenal amount of money raised will make such a difference to the work of AWARE and in so doing better support those affected by depression.”

“This money will support a range of activities including our support groups and Living Life to the Full programmes for those experiencing depression, our wellbeing programmes delivered to schools and communities throughout Northern Ireland to raise awareness of looking after our mental health and our information and outreach services which aim to overcome the stigma of talking about poor mental health and provide information talks and literature.”

The Bar of Northern Ireland is based at The Bar Library beside the Royal Courts of Justice and is the representative body for Barristers working in Northern Ireland.