PIPS is a community-based charity that delivers suicide prevention and bereavement support services, counselling and therapies throughout Northern Ireland. Almost 12,000 people accessed the services between 2020 and 2021 as a direct result of the pandemic.

Chris Ross, managing partner of McKees, said: “Before Covid-19, there was already a mental health crisis in Northern Ireland and since April 2020 this has escalated even further with PIPS experiencing a 62 per cent increase in the need for its life-saving services which offer direct support to people in need as well as a worrying 250 per cent increase in the number of children accessing its services.

“We are proud to announce that McKees has appointed this vital organisation as our charity partner. PIPS receives no government funding for its vital services and relies on charitable donations and corporate support, so we are working with the charity to do what we can to help raise much-needed funds through a range of events and initiatives.”

McKees partner Philip McBride will take part in the Manchester Marathon next month in support of PIPS. “We wish him good luck in his quest to smash the three-hour barrier and raise money for this amazing charity,” Mr Ross said.

Renee Quinn from PIPS said: “We are delighted to have the support from McKees as our charity partner. Their support will make a phenomenal difference in expanding the reach of people we can help.”

PIPS supports and promotes positive mental health for anyone who has been affected by suicide or self-harm. Its services are for people who are experiencing depression, grief and loss, loneliness, anxiety, low self-esteem, PTSD, anger, stress, suicidal ideation, self-harming or abuse issues. The charity also supports children with their emotional and behavioural issues.