Normal People star Paul Mescal raises £62,590 for mental health charity

Paul Mescal his tweeted his congratulations to the winner of a huge raffle set up by the star to raise funds for a mental health charity.

Last month the Normal People star revealed he was donating one of the chains made famous in the hit BBC drama for a charity auction.

And on Monday the actor revealed The Chain Raffle raised an astonishing 70340 euro or £62,590 for Pieta House after donations from across the world.

Tweeting the good news, Paul shared a post from Pieta revealing the winner of the chain and offered his congratulations, writing: ‘Congratulations Éadaoin !!! Thank you so much to everyone who participated ….70340 euro is a huge ammount of money and will go a long way in supporting Pieta’s vital services x’  

Last month Paul wrote that he was keen to support Pieta after portraying Connell Waldron in Normal People, who suffers from depression. 

‘In light of ep 9 and 10 airing on BBC and RTÉ today and tomorrow, episodes that deal with mental health and suicide, I’ve decided to support @pieta.house,’ Paul told his followers.

Tagging jewllery brand Roxanne First, the actor continued: ‘I’ve personally seen the amazing work this charity has done in terms of helping those in need. I will be raffling one of my chains by @roxannefirst and all proceeds will be going to pieta. Anything you can do to support will be greatly appreciated.’ 

Pieta provides free therapy to those engaging in self-harm, with suicidal ideation, or bereaved by suicide. 

Paul has previously admitted the popularity of the chain he wore while filming the BBC drama was the last thing he was expecting.

The actor, 24, wore a silver ‘Argos‘ chain around his neck in many scenes throughout the show, and the item has now amassed an Instagram following of 175,000.

Speaking on ‘The Ryan Tubridy Show’ on RTÉ Radio One, he said: ‘It definitely wasn’t on the list of things I thought people would notice. 

‘It’s kind of grown arms and legs. It kind of became its own entity, and I’m raffling off one of my own chains for Pieta House.’

The actor recently revealed he had a number of reasons for choosing Pieta House to donate to.

He said: ‘I am delighted to be able to help out Pieta by raffling off my chain that has taken on a following of its own since Normal People hit television screens. 

‘Pieta is a cause very close to my heart, having experienced loss due to suicide in my local town while growing up.

‘Episode 10 of Normal People also touches upon depression and suicidal ideation, so it seemed like a very special partnership to want to help those in similar situations. I want to play my part in helping sustain these free services across Ireland.’

Paul has also helped to raise the profile of Irish sportswear company O’Neills after his character donned the brand’s shorts on the show.

Paul has also been papped wearing the shorts in real life and he is bemused by their popularity. He said: ‘It’s hilarious. I’m aware that, sometimes on my way to the shops I’m being photographed.

‘But, to be honest, there’s no better item to be photographed in than a pair of Maynooth GAA shorts.’