Brian braves the hot chilli challenge
INISTIOGE MAN BRIAN MORAN RAISES FUNDS FOR MENTAL HEALTH CHARITY
BRAVE Inistioge man Brian Moran proved his spice credentials by eating one of the world’s hottest chillies to raise money for mental health charity Teac Tom.
While most people were enjoying a drink on St Patrick’s Day evening, Brian (52) was putting on a black glove to pick up a Carolina Reaper chilli out of a black coffin box for a challenge to remember! Sitting in The Otter Bar in Inistioge as 50 or more patrons looked on in anticipation, Brian placed the chilli in his mouth.
The Carolina Reaper Challenge means not a drop of cooling liquid can be drunk for five minutes as the willing participant devours the entire chilli, scorching hot seeds and all.
HIs wife Laura said: “I never had any doubt in him because Brian is a powerhouse when it comes to spicy foods. It all started when we were out for a pint one night.
“We were talking about spicy food and Brian said he could do the challenge, no bother.
Someone said why wouldn’t he do it for charity and so he did.” Laura, who runs the Coffee Box horsebox cafe in Inistioge while also working in St Columba’s Hospital in Thomastown, said: “It was unbelievable. Three minutes into it he started sweating. His face totally changed colour and there was a lot of heavy breathing and cursing. We had to get people to cover their ears!
“A jug of milk was on standby and I was getting worried. Once it was over I have never seen anybody drink a litre of milk as quick!” Apart from a little stomach upset, Brian was fine afterwards.
Laura said he got great support from the pub and its patrons, adding that afterwards people came over to him and her and shared stories of their own struggles with mental health, or those of relatives also.
“It flipped the seriousness and stigma around it by turning it into something fun people were able to talk about.”
Brian confided afterwards that his next fundraiser will involve walking.
In total he raised more than €500 for Teac Tom which provides mental health support and suicide intervention services to those in need.
The charity’s mission as a community and voluntary charity is to provide affordable and immediate services to help those struggling with their mental health or who have been bereaved by suicide.
The organisation is based in Kilkenny city with a second centre in Stradbally, Co Laois.
Teac Tom receives no Government funding to provide these vital services.
Without the generosity and support of individuals, businesses and the wider community Teac Tom would not be able to keep its doors open.