DCU live telethon on air tonight

Dublin People 28 Nov 2015
Jordan Kavanagh and Emma Kavanagh prepare for the broadcast.

THREE Northside students are taking part in a 24-hour live TV marathon this weekend to help tackle the stigma surrounding mental illness.

Emma Kavanagh, Brian Dillon and Jordan Kavanagh from Dublin City University will be raising vital funds in aid of mental health charity, Jigsaw, during the broadcast.

The trio are active members of Dublin City University Media Production Society (MPS). Jordan is backstage producer and Emma is chairperson of the society who are running the DCUtv and Bank of Ireland 24 Hour Broadcast.

Emma explained why she and the whole society are so excited about the venture.

“This is the first year we’re supporting a mental health charity,” she said.

“DCU’s getting behind the cause because I think everyone knows someone who has been affected by poor mental health.”

The charity was chosen on the suggestion of Sarah McLaughlin, a second year communications student in DCU who holds Jigsaw very close to her heart.

Sarah is also an active member of MPS and she explained how delighted she is for the charity to be chosen.

“It was a great support for me when I needed it and I wanted to give back to the charity while raising awareness for my peers at the same time,” she said.

“Jigsaw is such an amazing facility to have for young people suffering from mental illnesses around the country and it’s amazing to be raising so much awareness for them.

“There’s such a stigma surrounding mental illness in Ireland and I finally think it’s time we did something to make a difference.”

Emma, who attended St Dominic’s College, Cabra, Brian who attended Ardscoil La Salle, Clarehall, and Jordan who attended Gaelcholáiste Reachrann in Rush will assist with the production of shows throughout the 24 hour broadcast.

Viewers can look forward to remakes of popular television favourites such as ‘The Late Late Toy Show’ and ‘Never Mind The Buzzcocks’ as well as eclectic original shows proposed by DCU students.

The broadcast, which is being run for the sixth consecutive year this Christmas, also features two flagship programmes, including ‘The Apprentice’, which involves students going up against each other to win.

Last year’s broadcast raised over €5,000 for charity and it’s hoped to match that total again this year for Jigsaw.

The DCUtv Bank of Ireland 24 hour broadcast starts at 9pm on Friday and donations can be made at justgiving.com/dcutv. Viewers can get involved on social media using the hashtag #DCUtv24.

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