08-07-2025
Mayo Rose Clara Gardiner launches fundraiser for mental health charity
Ms Gardiner told the Irish Independent that she aims to raise funds and awareness for North West STOP as she prepares to represent Mayo at the 2025 International Rose of Tralee Festival.
The Kilfian native will be the only Connacht representative at this year's competition, which takes place on August 15-19.
A party has been organised for her in The Thatch Inn in Crossmolina on August 3, where donations can be made to North West STOP.
The charity was founded in 2004 by families who have been bereaved by suicide.
The Leitrim-based voluntary organisation provides free counselling sessions, bereavement counselling and various therapies for children and adolescents.
'The counselling sessions are actually funded by the public, so they depend on fundraising and donations to provide that essential for people,' said Ms Gardiner.
'They would have supported me when I was going through my own mental health journey.'
The 24-year-old is currently studying home economics teaching at St Angela's College in Sligo while looking after her son Noah (2).
Since becoming the Mayo Rose, Ms Gardiner has sought to raise awareness for spina bifida and hydrocephalus in memory of her sister, Jemma, who died at the age of 16 in 2019.
She represented Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Ireland on the night she was selected Mayo Rose back in April, dedicating her win to her late sister.
You can donate to Clara Gardiner's 'Mayo Rose Fundraiser for North West STOP' here.
