Waterford motorists urged to give support to Pieta when refuelling

Motorists in Waterford and across the country are being encouraged to give their support to Pieta on Thursday, January 15.

The 'Fuel Up for Pieta' initiative is being initiated nationwide and through it Circle K will donate .1c for every litre of fuel sold at pumps to Pieta. 

It's part of a three-year partnership between the company and the national charity which supports suicide prevention and 24/7 crisis support.

A spokesperson for Circle K said the initiative will make it easy for customers to support Pieta with donations being made automatically when they fuel up at any Circle K outlet across Waterford that day.

"The partnership will see Circle K commit to fundraising €1 million over the next three years," said the spokesperson.

Pieta's services include free counselling to those with suicidal ideation, those engaging in self-harm, and those bereaved by suicide across Ireland.

Support will also extend to Northern Ireland, with customer donations directed to PIPS Suicide Prevention Charity, Pieta’s partner in the region. 

"This approach ensures that funds raised locally go directly towards supporting individuals and families within their own communities throughout the initiative," said the spokesperson, in a statement to waterford-news.ie

Tomorrow will mark the official launch of the partnership and the spokesperson for Circle K said both organisations share a commitment to being consistently present and supportive in communities across Ireland. 

"With its nationwide network and local presence, Circle K is proud to stand alongside Pieta and PIPS in raising awareness and vital funds to help ensure professional suicide and self-harm prevention services are available whenever and wherever they are needed," she said.

The new partnership builds on Circle K’s longstanding support for Pieta; each year the company provides free tea and coffee to participants across its network after the annual Darkness Into Light walks.

The spokesperson said it's "a gesture that has become a meaningful part of the nationwide event".

Most recently, Circle K also supported Pieta through its Coast to Coast fundraising initiative, helping to raise vital funds and awareness for the charity’s life-saving services.

Speaking about the launch of the partnership, Ciara Foxton Managing Director, Circle K Ireland, said: “At Circle K, supporting the communities we serve isn’t just part of what we do, it’s at the heart of who we are. We are proud to begin this new three-year partnership with Pieta, an organisation that delivers life-saving support to those in crisis. Together, our goal is to raise vital funds and awareness so that anyone in need can access free, professional help, 24 hours a day, every day."

"We are equally committed to supporting PIPS Suicide Prevention Ireland in Northern Ireland, ensuring that this partnership reaches every corner of the island," said Ms Foxton.

"We know this is a cause close to many of our colleagues and customers, and we’re proud to stand with Pieta and PIPS in helping to raise vital awareness and support for those who need it most," she added.

Meanwhile, Stephanie Manahan, CEO at Pieta said: “This partnership with Circle K represents a meaningful commitment to suicide and self-harm prevention across Ireland. It will help Pieta continue to provide free, professional support to people experiencing suicidal distress, self-harm, or the impact of suicide, whenever they need it, and wherever they live."

She said Circle K's strong community presence and long-standing support for Pieta reflected "a shared belief that mental health support should be visible, accessible, and available without barriers".

"We are deeply grateful to Circle K, its teams, and its customers for helping to ensure that no one faces crisis alone," said Ms Manahan.

She also said that demand for Pieta's services continue to grow and that long-term partnerships like that with Circle K are "vital" for keeping the organisation's therapy services and 24/7 Crisis Helpline open, accessible and staffed by qualified therapists.

"The funds raised through this initiative will directly support that work and help us be there at the most critical moments," she said.