Snow Patrol star donates £10,000 to Coalisland charity

ONE of the North’s most famous musicians has given a massive Christmas boost to a Coalisland mental health charity.

In the days before the festive holidays, Joe Coney who runs the Mid Ulster Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (MACP) said he was contacted by a person seeking to make a donation to his charity.

When Joe enquired further, he found out that the lead singer of Snow Patrol – Gary Lightbody – was making a £10,000 donation to his counselling service which is bringing vital help to hundreds of local people.

In recent years – the singer who has hit the top of the charts with ‘Take Back The City’ and ‘Chasing Cars’ – has spoken of his own personal battles with depression, vertigo, writer’s block and alcohol.

Revealing this heart-warming act of generosity by the Bangor star, Joe Coney said, “Gary Lightbody very kindly wanted to donate £10,000.00 to MACP through the Lightbody Foundation, and we, MACP, were one of five charities in the whole of the North to receive such an amazing amount of money.

“Just as importantly, this is a fantastic testament to the hard work and dedication of all of our volunteers who provide amazing support to those with mental health difficulties.

“To say we are extremely surprised and extremely grateful most definitely is an understatement.”

Joe praised the musician for speaking out on mental health. He continued, “I suppose the moral of the story is no matter how famous someone is, depression and addiction does not discriminate nor does it take prisoners.

“But Gary, his sister Sarah, one of Gary’s best friends Davy Matchett and others who work on behalf of the Lightbody Foundation, use their influence and of course some of their finances to help ordinary people just like you and I, regardless of race colour or creed.

“So a massive thank you to Gary, Sarah and Davy and all at the Lightbody Foundation, we can absolutely guarantee this money will be used in the fight to support those who are struggling with mental health issues right here in Coalisland, Mid-Ulster and indeed the whole of Northern Ireland.

“What a fabulous Christmas gift which came just at the right time.”

Earlier this year, the Coalisland charity moved into larger premises and in turn increased the level of service and counselling for those in need.

The new mental health hub includes a new office, disability toilets, a staff kitchen, one large training room, two waiting areas, three counselling rooms, and full disabled access with a lift, to ensure facilities are accessible to all within the community.

Mr Coney who is himself a qualified counsellor told the Herald this year that more young people were experiencing anxiety, some of which was caused by the constant uncertainty caused by the pandemic.

Not only does MACP provide life-saving help to those suffering from a range of psychological difficulties but also gives student counsellors the opportunity to work in the field.

If you or any of your family, friends or colleagues are in need of support, please contact MACP to make an appointment. The service is free of charge and confidential. You can attend for just a few sessions, or for as long as you need the help. Contact MCAP by calling 028 8774 6582 or 028 8774 6375.