ESB ElectricAID Ireland supports North West Taxi Proprietors in Suicide Prevention Initiative

ESB electricaid Ireland is supporting a new initiative by the North West Taxi Proprietors to increase the number of volunteers on suicide watch on the River Foyle. The initiative will see 40 volunteers trained in dealing with suicide situations, and also equip them with fist aid kits and Balcan throw lines. The scheme means taxi drivers going about their daily work will act as extra volunteers. The training, first aid kits, thermal blankets and taxi service radio communication systems will provide a quick response in cases of attempted suicide. The idea came about as a result of taxi drivers witnessing attempted suicides while working in Derry.

ESB ElectricAID Ireland is a support fund set up to aid charities working in the areas of Suicide Prevention and Homelessness. The fund has already supported the Foyle Search and Rescue service in Derry, and a number of other initiatives in the North West.

Dave Shepherd, Plant Manager at Coolkeeragh, said ESB is particularly pleased to support community-based initiatives tackling these serious issues. "ESB staff decided that the ElectricAID funding should concentrate on the area of suicide prevention, and we are pleased to be able to support in a real way the 'Taxi Watch' project."

The "Taxi Watch" project is also supported by the North Western Health Board. Three taxi drivers have already been trained in ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training). Since its foundation in July 2005 ESB ElectricAID Ireland has provided financial support to 130 projects working in the areas of Suicide and Homelessness. The funding provided so far is in excess of €1.3million.

ElectricAID donates €10k to Barnardos

A cheque for €10k was presented to Fergus Finlay and Killian Stokes of Barnardos on November 2nd. Barnardos provides bereavement counselling, advice, information and therapy to bereaved children and their families. Present at the presentation were John Campion, Executive Director HR & Corporate Affairs and Michael O'Connor of ElectricAID.

Shared Services supports ElectricAid

Ciarán Gogarty, HR Business Support, Shared Services, presenting a cheque for €865 to James Foley of ElectricAid. This donation was made in respect of the completion and return rate of the recent Shared Services Staff Survey - Shared Services kindly donated €5 for every questionnaire returned. ElectricAid would like to thank Shared Services management and staff for making this such a successful incentive. Other business lines - please take note!