DCU’s Media Production Society has held its annual 24-hour broadcast to raise money for suicide prevention and bereavement support charity, SOSAD.
The event takes place every December on the Northside campus, with students working throughout the night to live-stream the broadcast from the School of Communications building for a full 24 hours.
The society students decided to choose SOSAD as this year’s charity to benefit from the event after committee member, Carmel Kenny, who like many others has been directly affected by suicide, suggested it.
"I lost my Dad to suicide when I was two-years-old and I've grown up without him in my life,” she said.
“I've seen first hand how it affects everyone left behind. SOSAD is close to my heart because I want everyone to know that they have someone to talk to and can turn to in a time of need.”
Last year the broadcast was in aid of homeless charity, the Peter McVerry Trust and although the target was €5,000, the society succeeded in raising over €15,300 through fundraising and donations on the night.
Aine Lawless, head of DCUtv, explained how the event works.
“For 24 hours our members get the chance to produce their own shows and make the wackiest memories they’ll have in college,” she said.
Students who get involved contribute to the broadcast in many ways, be it filming, producing, presenting, editing, creating behind the scenes content and promoting the broadcast on social media, or a little bit of everything.
The broadcast is supported by a huge variety of sponsors, including Bank of Ireland who sponsor the event each year.