Macra regrets calendar error

A rural youth organisation has apologised for giving a “false impression” that the proceeds from its calendar was to go to a mental health charity.

It is not yet clear how much the Walk in My Shoes mental health campaign stands to benefit from the sale of the limited edition calendar, launched by Macra na Feirme at the National Ploughing Championships.

It has been claimed that many who bought the €10 calendar had been under the impression that Walk in My Shoes was to be the sole beneficiary.

The calendar features Macra members in provocative poses in farmyard settings. It enjoyed significant publicity during its launch.

Macra said at the time that it had partnered with the mental health awareness charity. Run by St Patrick’s Mental Health Foundation, it had posted a tweet at the time of the calendar’s launch stating “proceeds go to Walk in My Shoes”.

Yesterday, the charity said it did not know what proceeds it would receive.

Sarah Surgenor, head of fundraising and communications at Walk in my Shoes, said: “As this is a Macra initiative, we are not aware of how much income has been raised or will be donated.

“We have asked Macra to clarify to their members and the public exactly how much from each calendar sale will be donated to Walk in My Shoes.”

Macra said: “The primary aim of the calendar was to raise awareness about positive mental health — an issue very important to both Macra na Feirme and Walk in My Shoes and, secondly, also to raise funds for both charities. The campaign was very successful.

“Macra is disappointed and apologises for the false impression created. Macra never set out to mislead the public on this matter.

“Macra na Feirme, a registered charity itself, makes a tremendous contribution to positive mental health and funds raised go to the provision of services for young rural people.”