Irish people drank 74 million cups of Lyons tea to support Pieta House
Lyons and Pieta House thank Irish tea drinkers for raising much-needed funds to help support its services
Lyons thank its loyal tea drinkers across Ireland for their continued support to Pieta House, the Suicide, Self-harm and Bereavement Care Charity. 2017 marked the second year of the partnership between Lyons and Pieta House, which aimed to raise funds and awareness for the services the charity offers.
During the 2017 campaign, over 74 million cups of tea from the special promotional packs were consumed across the country. For every promotional box of Lyons Original Blend 80s sold during the year, Lyons donated 10cent to Pieta House. Additionally, Lyons donated 50cent for every promotional case of Lyons Original 600s sold across the foodservice industry.
“The positive impact that Pieta House has had on so many vulnerable lives in Ireland since it first opened its doors cannot be underestimated. It is a fantastic organisation that offers help and support to those who really need it at a time in their lives when they may feel there is no-one else to turn to,” commented Jim Reeves, Customer Director Ireland, Unilever Food Solutions. “We are immensely proud of our association with Pieta and continue to be humbled by the work the team provide across its centres”.
Brian Higgins, CEO of Pieta House commented: “We are very grateful to all the Lyons tea drinkers across the country. By enjoying that simple cuppa, you have helped provide us with the funding we need to continue to offer our services free of charge to anyone in the vulnerable situation of considering suicide, self-harm or suffering from suicidal bereavement”.
Paul Kelly, Head of Marketing at Unilever said: “We were delighted that our loyal tea customers again showed their support for Pieta and as a result, a significant contribution was raised for the charity. Also, we were able to help raise awareness for the services provided by using our Lyons tea box as a way of getting all of the charity’s contact information out to consumers in a simple but effective way. It’s hugely important that people know they have someone to turn to if they need to talk. As a nation, we’re not the best at opening up at times, which makes the confidential services at Pieta even more important and the knowledge that the centres across the country are safe places to talk”.
Pieta House has offered support to over 36,000 people since it first opened its doors. Last year alone, 7,117 people sought its services. Alarmingly, 25% of those who have come to Pieta House are under the age of 25, highlighting the importance of ensuring young people know that there is always someone available to talk to if needed.