Limerick Woman Wins €20K for Mental Health Charity

A Limerick woman who turned her passion for mental health into a lifeline for her community just won €20,000 to keep her mission growing.

Leona O'Callaghan has been named an AXA Community Hero in the Mental Health category after judges reviewed hundreds of nominations from across Ireland. The award recognizes people making real differences in their neighborhoods, and each of the four winners receives €20,000 to donate to their chosen charity.

Leona founded The Haven Hub in 2019 as a free mental health and suicide prevention service for anyone facing challenges. What started as a grassroots effort has grown into a permanent resource for people who might not otherwise have access to mental health support.

The growth wasn't easy. Leona led a campaign to secure permanent premises for The Haven Hub, fighting to ensure the service would have a lasting home in the community. Last year, that persistence paid off when the charity moved into its new building.

The Ripple Effect

Free mental health support changes more than individual lives. When someone gets help during a crisis, it affects their families, their workplaces, and everyone around them.

The Haven Hub removes the financial barrier that keeps many people from seeking support. That single decision to make services free creates a safety net for an entire community, catching people before they fall through the cracks.

Leona's €20,000 prize goes directly back to The Haven Hub, funding more of the work that earned her recognition in the first place. It's a cycle of good that keeps building on itself.

The nationwide search for Community Heroes shows how many people across Ireland are quietly doing extraordinary work. One person with an idea and the determination to see it through can create something that changes hundreds of lives.