West Tipperary MHA was established in October 2008. This dynamic group set about capturing the focus and energy of their local community by organising a major and novel fundraising event.
They held a Family Fun Day on 9th August 2009 at the Tipperary Races with music, a barbeque and children’s entertainment. The aim of the day was to highlight the need to “make mental health a national priority” by attempting to beat the world record of a ‘Rock the Boat’ to gain entry to the Guinness Book of World Records. Over 820 people helped them to break the record.
The Tipperary People reported extremely on the event and said “that the spectacleof the huge crowd seated in the parade ring at the racecourse performing ‘Rock the Boat’ was certainly something to behold. The Record Attempt attracted people from all over Munster along with some very well-known sporting stars. Stephen Hunt, Kevin Doyle and Andy Keogh of the Republic of Ireland Soccer Team took time out from their training camp to help the effort along with Liam Brady from the Management Team. Musical entertainment was provided throughout the afternoon by the CJ Kickham Band and by Anthony O’Connor and Friends and Willie ‘Bun’ was on hand to provide a little gentle encouragement to all those who were shy of participating.
As the last race finished the atmosphere was electric as hundreds queued to gain entry to the parade ring for the biggest ‘Rock the Boat’ in history! Martin Quinn of the West Tipperary Mental Health Association welcomed the huge turnout and thanked all those who had made the event possible and particularly the Tipperary Racecourse Management. Libby Carew-Eicholz, PRO of the Association, spoke of the importance of events like this one in creating awareness and of removing the stigma attached to mental illness. Anne Marie Martin and Lisa McGrath then took to the stage to take the crowd through their paces in a trial run of ‘Rock the Boat’. With everyone briefed on the movements and on the rules and regulations it was then on to the countdown for the main event. The ringing of the bell in the parade ring signalled the start of the World Record Attempt and the Hues Corporation song boomed across the racecourse to a sea of thousands of hands in unison. Projected on a big screen the scene was quite extraordinary as 820 people swayed and sang with great passion and zeal to ‘Rock the Boat’. As the 5 minute mark was reached a huge cheer went up from the racecourse signaling the completion of the World Record Attempt. The sense of occasion was certainly palpable and it was tremendous to be part of such a wonderful and uplifting event. The organisers said that they were thrilled with the success of the event and said that they hoped that it would highlight the urgent need for an Awareness Campaign to help reduce the stigma that is attached to mental illness. The statements from the independent scrutineers along with video and photographic evidence will now be submitted to the Guinness Book of World Records in the hope of getting acceptance and inclusion.
Well done to everyone involved in this event which certainly put Tipperary on the map this time for all the right reasons!”
Mental Health Ireland supports West Tipperary MHA’s aim to further increase awareness around mental health difficulties and continually highlight the need for an anti-stigma campaign targeting all ages. Consideration is being given to beat this record with a National Rock the Boat in 2011 as a collective project for all local Mental Health Associations throughout the country.
