It's the ordinary people who do the extraordinary things

They said she was just an ordinary person who saved lives. Joan Freeman founded Pieta House, the suicide and self-harm charity, when she lost a loved one.

Joan went back to college and she became a counsellor. She started Pieta 10 years ago.

I have never met an ordinary person. Every one of us can make a big difference. And so many do. Every single day. In public and in private. But mostly in private.

There's the carer who looks after a special child with special needs or an old person or a person suffering from suicidal thoughts or depression who needs constant minding.

So many so-called ordinary people give of themselves in so many ways. There is no greater love than a labour of love.

There should be a Nobel Prize for carers.

Pieta House cares in a public and private way. Joan is a senator now. She has stepped down as CEO. Senator Freeman is still an ambassador for Pieta and is very much involved.

Joan has left some legacy. There are 19 Pieta Houses in Ireland now and just recently Pieta took over the former Console service which offers bereavement counselling.

The rickshaw pounded over the potholey road known as William Street in Listowel. A kangaroo, no doubt alarmed by the din, peeped up for a look from one of the caverns that stretched all the way down under. An elephant takes a bath on his tippy toes and a salmon jumps from one pothole to another in search of spawning spots.

Our driver was Brian Higgins, the CEO of Pieta. My co-passenger was Cora O'Brien. There is no life journey without potholes.

Brian studied for the priesthood for a few years. I often think the two best preparations for life-learning are behind a bar counter or working as a priest or a trainee priest. You meet people at their best and worst. The good barman and the good priest learn how to talk to customers and parishioners.

And as Brian bombed the rickshaw around the streets of my home town I saw a woman who was suffering her share with the nerves.

I got to chatting with Brian. He pedalled his rickshaw to all 19 Pietas and to the old Console houses in Ireland. The tour theme is everyday heroes.

Firstly, I asked him about Console, the bereavement counselling service that has been taken over by Pieta.

Brian paid tribute to the counsellors who have done so much for the bereaved. The service has not been affected. Pieta is in excellent financial health. Brian said: "The Console counsellors and those who give such care and support to those who have lost a loved one to suicide had nothing whatsoever to do with the financial meltdown."

Console is no more, but the caring goes on under the broad-leafed shelter of the great oak tree that is Pieta.

Joan Freeman always had the human touch. Joan cried and hugged when she heard people's stories. We have been friends since I was a cracked young student in Dublin. I was hoping so much that Brian would keep up the Pieta ethos. That it wouldn't be all about logistics and efficiencies.

Brian explained his vision for Pieta.

"We had 100,000 thousand people coming to our Darkness into Light Walks. We know they care about suicide. The stigma is gone now and Irish people are seeking help and talking about their problems.

"That much has been achieved in the first 10 years of Pieta. But how many of those who are caring about suicide are homophobic or racist or are bullies? This is what we need to change in the next 10 years."

We talk about the callous indifferences and casual cruelties of the internet. I suggest even just being nice to people will make a huge difference. A simple hello, or a little chat on the street, or an invitation for a cup of tea can make a huge difference to someone who is vulnerable.

Brian agrees. "The way in which we mistreat other people can make a huge difference to the lives of those on the edge. Yet that simple and easily achieved concept of just being nice to other people, of putting yourself in their shoes, will make a huge difference. It's about tolerance and acceptance."

Pieta is in good hands. Our saving grace will be run professionally but with heart.

Cora O'Brien lost her young son David to suicide. Martin, Cora's husband, takes care of kids in the GAA and he has a lovely quiet way with them. He's nice to his players. Nice is a word that is greatly undervalued.

Cora started off a committee to raise funds for Pieta. Nunday was her idea. We broke the Guinness World Record for the most people dressed as nuns and raised 40 grand for Pieta.

We lobbied Joan for a Pieta House for Kerry. She agreed and now there's a Pieta in Tralee. Our mantra was: "If we can only save one life." Many lives have been saved. There's a cure in Pieta.

Cora went back to college. She found it nearly impossible in the beginning.

But Cora kept going. She was training to be a counsellor. Four years it took. And now Cora has her honours degree.

Her story is beautiful. It is a tale of a mother's love, but Cora's story is also about a woman who had confidence in herself.

Cora specialised in suicide prevention. I worried for her. "Will it not bring back all the memories of David's passing on a daily basis?" I asked.

Cora said she was able for her new career. She is strong, tough and smart. Cora is a professional and she knows how to cope with her new life which keeps life alive. And yes, she's still nice.

I have never met an ordinary person. Just a few months ago, nearly nine years after David died by suicide, Cora was appointed as the manager of Pieta House in Kerry.

To donate: pieta-grand-tour.everyday hero.com/ie/brian-higgins