Jigsaw
Search Jigsaw
Resources Anxiety Anger Self-harm

Category: Fundraising

Eight locations. Hundreds of people. One vital cause. Will you brave the water for youth mental health this September? 🌊👇

Posted on by Ian Carey

Next month, the shores and outdoor pools of Ireland are going to look a little different. In eight communities across the country, hundreds of people will be coming together, getting into their togs, and braving the water—all in the name of youth mental health.

Welcome to the 2026 Dip for Jigsaw.

We know that when communities come together, incredible things happen. The Dip for Jigsaw is about exactly that: showing the children and young people in our local areas that we are here for them, and raising the vital funds needed to keep Jigsaw’s mental health support services running.

Where is it happening? Whether you’re a seasoned sea swimmer or someone who prefers to just dip a toe, there is a location waiting for you. We’re incredibly excited to bring the Dip to eight fantastic locations this year:

Saturday, 12th September:

  • Banagher, Co. Offaly (Outdoor public swimming pool)

  • Dromineer, Co. Tipperary

  • Fenit, Co. Kerry

  • Laytown Beach, Co. Meath

Sunday, 13th September:

  • Bray, Co. Wicklow

  • Portmarnock, Co. Dublin

Saturday, 19th September:

  • Rossnowlagh, Co. Donegal

  • Salthill, Galway

How does it work? Taking part is incredibly easy. Registration is completely free, and we ask our dippers to aim for a fundraising goal of €200. We want to make it as fun and simple as possible to reach that goal, which is why everyone who registers gets their very own iDonate fundraising page, plus a special fundraising pack containing an exclusive Jigsaw t-shirt and sponsorship card.

It’s about community, connection, and making a splash for a cause that has never been more important.

If you’ve been looking for an excuse to get into the water, or a way to give back to your local community this autumn, we would love to see you there.

Want to learn more or secure your spot? Head over to our official event page to find all the details and sign up for your nearest location: dip.jigsaw.ie.

80 cyclists, two days, €210k – looking back at the Applegreen Cycle

Posted on by Ian Carey

Last weekend, over two glorious days on July 10th and 11th, 80 colleagues from across Applegreen got on their bikes for the Applegreen Cycle.

Open to cyclists of every skill level, the route took the team from the historic castle at Bunratty, Co. Clare, all the way to Tullamore, Co. Offaly. While experiencing some of the most beautiful cycling scenery Ireland has to offer, the team embarked on an incredibly challenging, positive, and powerful few days in the saddle.

Most importantly, their monumental efforts have raised an astounding €210,000 to date for their charity partner, Jigsaw.

There is something deeply fitting about cycling as a symbol for this cause. Progress isn’t always easy. Sometimes the road is steep, the wind is against you, and the finish line seems a long way off. But with determination, support, and people alongside you, it’s possible to keep moving forward.

By turning the pedals, one after another, these cyclists demonstrated huge generosity toward the children and young people (aged 12-25) we support day in and day out across our 14 regional services. The vital funds raised will directly support our free therapy and mental health resources. This journey taken together was one of true solidarity—with each other as colleagues, and with us as a charity partner, and we are hugely grateful.

By choosing to champion this cause, Applegreen colleagues have shown that youth mental health matters. Their dedication on and off the saddle will help fund vitally important and pressing solutions, ensuring that when a child, a young adult, a mam, or a dad reaches out and asks for help, we are there.

Every climb tackled, every headwind battled, every puncture fixed, and every turn of the wheel was for something so, so important.

To everyone who organised, supported, donated, or cheered from the sidelines—thank you.

Find out more about the cycle and the ongoing partnership at applegreen.jigsaw.ie.

Every journey matters: Applegreen campaign underway

Posted on by Ian Carey

Applegreen customers will this weekend be invited to support youth mental health by making a €2 donation at the till, this weekend.

This May Bank Holiday weekend marks an exciting milestone in Jigsaw’s three-year partnership with Applegreen, as the first nationwide in-store fundraising campaign gets underway.

From Thursday 30 April to Monday 4 May, customers visiting Applegreen locations across Ireland will be invited to support youth mental health and help support young people when they need it most.  With 122 stores nationwide and an estimated one million customer interactions over the weekend, this campaign represents a powerful opportunity for people across the country to make a meaningful difference.

A Shared Commitment to Young People

Earlier this year, Jigsaw and Applegreen announced a partnership under the banner “Every Journey Matters”, with a shared ambition to raise over €1 million in support of youth mental health services over the next three years.

The partnership reflects a deep commitment from Applegreen and its 3,000+ colleagues to support young people across Ireland. Since the announcement, teams from both organisations have been working together to develop fundraising initiatives, volunteering opportunities and awareness campaigns that will support Jigsaw’s mission.

This Bank Holiday activation is the first major moment in that journey.

A Nationwide Effort

Over the four-day campaign, Applegreen stores across the country will be fully activated in support of Jigsaw. Customers will notice Jigsaw orange branding in-store, and in some locations, there will be additional on-site activities led by Applegreen colleagues.

At the heart of the campaign are the frontline teams engaging with customers, starting conversations and inviting small contributions that will collectively have a big impact.

As Justin McDermott, Jigsaw’s Fundraising Manager, explains:

“This campaign is a fantastic example of how small actions can come together to create real change. A €2 donation may feel like a simple gesture, but across hundreds of thousands of customers, it will help us to reach more young people who need support. We are incredibly grateful to Applegreen colleagues and customers for their commitment and generosity.”

Supporting Youth Mental Health

Funds raised through this campaign will go directly towards supporting Jigsaw’s work providing free, early intervention mental health support for young people aged 12–25 across Ireland.

Every donation helps Jigsaw to:

  • Provide vital one-to-one support for young people
  • Deliver mental health education and resources in communities
  • Expand access to services both in-person and online
  • Continue building a society where young people feel supported and heard

Get Involved This Weekend

If you’re passing through an Applegreen this Bank Holiday weekend, we encourage you to:

  • Say yes to the €2 donation at the till
  • Show your support for Applegreen colleagues taking part
  • Help spread the word about youth mental health

Jigsaw staff, volunteers and supporters are also encouraged to drop into their local store, thank teams for their efforts, and celebrate this important first step in the partnership.

Every Journey Matters

This campaign is just the beginning of what promises to be a meaningful and impactful partnership between Jigsaw and Applegreen.

Together, we can ensure that more young people across Ireland have access to the mental health support they need—when they need it most.

Because every journey matters.

 

.

 

Early Access: Run the VHI Women’s Mini Marathon

Posted on by Ian Carey

The VHI Women’s Mini Marathon is back on Sunday 31 May 2026, and it’s set to sell out faster than ever.

Last year was one of the biggest events yet, and demand continues to grow every year. That’s why we’re giving you early access to our Team Jigsaw charity places before general registration opens next week — and before we launch our wider public campaign.

Why Team Jigsaw?

Last year, Team Jigsaw was bigger than ever. From first-time walkers to seasoned runners, our supporters showed up in force — and the atmosphere on the day was incredible.

Our runners say it best:

“I had such a wonderful experience.”

“I felt amazing completing the marathon for Jigsaw. I felt great to be able to give back and take part for the service that helped me.”

“I really enjoyed running for Jigsaw. The event was honestly amazing. The energy and good vibes from everyone involved.”

When you take part for Jigsaw, you are helping provide free therapy and confidential mental health support for young people aged 12 to 25 across Ireland. Every euro raised helps ensure no young person has to face tough times alone.

You are not just signing up for a race. You are joining a powerful community of women coming together to support young people across Ireland.

What’s involved?

To secure your charity place:

  • Pay a 50 euro deposit to reserve your ticket
  • Pledge to raise a minimum of 250 euro in total, including your deposit

When you join Team Jigsaw, you will receive:

  • An official Jigsaw running T-shirt
  • A fundraising pack with tips and ideas
  • Your own iDonate fundraising page
  • Ongoing support from our fundraising team

Places are limited and once we open to the public, they are likely to move quickly.

 

👉 Secure your Team Jigsaw place today click here

 

Let’s make 2026 our biggest and most inspiring year yet 💚

 

M&S donate €150k to support youth mental health

Posted on by Ian Carey

Marks & Spencer Country Director Eddie Murphy has presented Jigsaw with a donation of €150,000 to help support the mental health of young people around Ireland.  

This week marked one year since Jigsaw and M&S entered into our exciting partnership.

Under the banner, ‘Together we’ve got this’, the partnership aims to raise capacity, reach, and accessibility of the help available to young people across Ireland struggling with their mental health through a series of fundraising and awareness initiatives.

The last 12 months have seen a range of initiatives across areas such as in-store fundraising, staff training and public awareness campaigns. With over e150k raised to date, the partnership is due to go from strength to strength over the next 2 years.

 

Starbucks Easter donation drive

Posted on by Ian Carey

Starbucks are running an Easter Donation drive this weekend in aid of Jigsaw.

The coffee chain will be giving customers a chance to donate to Jigsaw and support free therapy for young people who need it.

Justin McDermott, Fundraising Manager at Jigsaw, explains:

“This Easter weekend our partners Starbucks Ireland are running a donation drive across all their outlets in Ireland to support our free therapy and support services for children and young people, aged 12-25.  So we are asking you to do these three things to support.

  1. Connect with your friends
  2. Grab a coffee in your local Starbucks 
  3. Donate to Jigsaw 

“You can also donate online to support this drive, to do so visit www.jigsaw.ie/GiveAtEaster“.

VHI Women’s Mini Marathon SOLD OUT!

Posted on by Ian Carey

We’re excited to share that over 40 amazing supporters have already signed up to take part in this year’s VHI Women’s Mini Marathon on Sunday, 1st June 2025, as part of our Run for Jigsaw campaign!

Run for Jigsaw is our national fundraising series supporting youth mental health, proudly sponsored by Incredible Socks. Together, we’re stepping up for young people across Ireland—and the Women’s Mini Marathon is one of the biggest highlights of the year.

The event is now completely sold out, but don’t panic—we’re working on securing more tickets, so stay tuned. We’ll share updates as soon as we can.

If you are interested in taking part in this event and would like to be put on our waiting list for a ticket, please email Steven at steven.short@Jigsaw.ie

A huge thank you to everyone who’s already joined Team Jigsaw. Your support means the world, and we can’t wait to cheer you on in June!

Visit Incredible Socks here – https://incrediblesocks.ie/collections/women

Barefoot fundraiser in World Record bid for Jigsaw

Posted on by Ian Carey

Most people would barely brave the kitchen in bare feet.

But for fundraiser Eamonn Keaveney it comes as second nature having already walked around Ireland entirely shoeless.

Now the Mayo native is taking on his greatest challenge to date – walking barefoot from Istanbul to his hometown of Claremorris.

He’s making the trip to break a World Record travelling 5,500km across Europe and to raise vital funds for Jigsaw and Friends of the Earth.

On his iDonate page he says:

“On March 4th 2025, I will set off from Istanbul, Turkey and walk all the way home to Claremorris, County Mayo, Ireland – completely barefoot!

“I will be attempting to break the world record for the longest barefoot journey by walking over 5500km in my bare feet. I previously broke the record back in 2016 by walking over 2000km unshod around Ireland.

“This time I’ve chosen to fundraise for Jigsaw and Friends of the Earth. All funds raised here will go directly to these great causes, and any donation is much appreciated!”

Click here to visit his donation page.

You can also follow his adventures on this instagram page https://www.instagram.com/barefootacrosseurope/

Interested in running the Mini-Marathon?

Posted on by Ian Carey

It’s an amazing event to be a part of. The VHI Women’s Mini Marathon is the largest women’s participatory event in the world and we are asking supporters to consider doing it in aid of Jigsaw.

Working with our partners in Incredible Socks and iDonate, we have just secured 20 places for this year’s event.  With its increasing popularity, it is expected to sell out faster than ever before.

How it works:

  • Secure your place now by paying a €50 deposit this counts towards your fundraising goal
  • You are asked to raise €200 on top of your deposit to support our vital work
  • You will get your own iDonate fundraising page to help you reach your goal
  • Once you reach €100 raised on your iDonate page we’ll send you your official race entry.
  • We will also send you your very own Team Jigsaw race pack, including a Jigsaw technical running T-shirt and a pair of Incredible Socks.

By signing up now, you’ll be guaranteed your place and will be joining our mini-marathon team raising vital funds and awareness to support our free therapy services and supports for young people, their families and communities across Ireland.

Places are limited, so act fast—sign up today!

Back To Top