The raffle for the chain worn by Paul Mescal in Normal People, launched yesterday, May 25, has already surpassed €13,550 – with all funds going to Pieta House.

Mescal, who plays Connell Waldron in the acclaimed TV adaptation of Sally Rooney's novel, donated the chain worn by his character to the suicide preventation charity, after they were forced to postpone their flagship fundraiser, Darkness Into Light, due to the ongoing Covid-19 crisis.

As the series garners rave reviews around the world, breaking streaming records on both the RTÉ Player and the BBC iPlayer, Connell's chain has also proved a hit among fans – evening earning its own Instagram account (@connellschain), with over 163,000 followers.

“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," Paul Mescal says of the raffle. "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.”

The raffle for the chain will be open for two weeks, from May 25 to June 8, with four different options for entry – including 10 entries for €10, 20 entries for €15, 30 entries for €25 and 60 entries for €50.

Entries close on Monday June 8 at 2pm – with the winner selected at random at 3pm through a live-stream on Pieta's Facebook.

Support the raffle here.

Watch episodes 9 and 10 of Normal People tonight, May 26, from 10.15pm on RTÉ One.