May 5, 2023
NORTHERN Ireland’s leading Passivhaus developer, Fraser Millar, has recently commissioned a unique and exclusive painting by local artists Paul Doran and Niall Conlon, as part of their ongoing ‘Minding Minds Together’ project and exhibition.
The painting has been commissioned to reflect the work done by Jake McBride at his East Belfast gym, Hooked. Jake is a tireless campaigner for mental health and the painting honours the benefits of boxing training in managing mental wellbeing.
Dedicated to not only sustainable homes but also sustainable minds; Fraser Millar is proud to be supporting this worthwhile project which will help to raise awareness and necessary funds for the mental health crisis that effects so many throughout Northern Ireland.
Studies have continually shown that Northern Ireland has the highest suicide rate in the United Kingdom, ranking it among the top 15 countries in the world. It also has the highest rates of post-traumatic stress disorder in the world, ahead of many regions in the Middle East which have also been affected by war.
These statistics alone speak volumes of the ongoing issues surrounding poor mental health in Northern Ireland.
As a well-established property developer in the region, in 2019 Fraser Millar shifted their business model to developing only Passivhaus Certified homes, offering homeowners, a cleaner and healthier way of living. Having grown up in Northern Ireland, David Millar is aware of the detrimental impact that it has had on our local communities and as a family firm they recognise that action needs to be taken to offer more help and support for those who need it.
David Millar, the managing director of Fraser Millar, spoke about their contribution to the project: “When Paul and Niall told me about the project, I immediately thought about the connection with Jake McBride’s gym, Hooked, and we decided to commission a piece of art for the exhibition to reflect the mental health benefits of boxing training. The connection with Jake’s gym and Fraser Millar is strong with directors, employees, friends and family all enjoying the mental and physical benefits of training at Hooked and we were only too happy to get involved. It’s a very worthwhile cause and Fraser Millar is delighted to be a part of it.”
Fraser Millar’s involvement in the ‘Minding Minds Together’ project and exhibition will be instrumental in helping to raise much needed funds for charities working to help mental wellbeing within the local community.
Artist Niall Conlon said, “We are so grateful to David Millar of Fraser Millar for commissioning this unique painting to support our ‘Minding Minds Together’ project and exhibition to help raise vital funds for mental health charities across Northern Ireland. It has meant the world to us to receive extremely generous support from such an inspiring and forward thinking company.”
The exhibition will take place at Ross’ Auctioneers and will run from 21st April until the 5th May 2023. Fraser Millar’s commissioned painting will be on display along with a series of collaborative paintings by local community groups, Wave Trauma Centre and Queen’s University Belfast medical students. 50 per cent of the proceeds being donated will go directly to local mental health charities in Northern Ireland. The finished piece of artwork will also become a permanent fixture in Jake McBride’s new boxing gym, ‘Hooked Belfast’.
