Cork’s First Citizen, The Rt. Hon. The Lord Mayor, Cllr. Dara Murphy and The Lady Mayoress Tanya Murphy, together with Bishop John Buckley Rev. John Ardis (representing Bishop Paul Colton) joined the young students, drawn from 20 Cork schools, to mark the start of S.H.A.R.E.’s unique campaign, while the Band of the Southern Brigade played seasonal tunes to celebrate the commencement of the initiative.

Approximately 1,800 students are participating in the fast and fundraising, with their bright yellow sealed collection boxes and yellow jackets, encouraging people to donate to SHARE and help them keep this initiative alive, vibrant and effective. They will collect in the city centre up until Christmas Eve, as many of their parents did before them. The general public can also have an opportunity to give donations at S.H.A.R.E. cribs in specific shopping centres around the city and suburbs or at the Day Care Centre in Sheare's Street, Cork.

The S.H.A.R.E.-built homes, which are located around the city, are comfortable, secure and homely, with user-friendly bathrooms and security systems and decorated in warm, friendly tones. Residents of these homes are provided with a range of practical services, including meals, a laundry service, and a network of support to help them live comfortable, healthy lives in the heart of the community. A volunteer group of S.H.A.R.E. ‘Mothers’ provide a sense of community and security to residents on a daily basis. S.H.A.R.E. boys and girls visit residents also, enabling the young people to understand the realities of advancing years and the joys and challenges they bring.

In addition to the challenging task of continuous maintenance and running of S.H.A.R.E’s homes dotted around the city at Blarney St, Shandon St, Blackpool, Grattan St, Sundays Well, Abbey St, Sheare’s St., activities at the impressive Day Care Centre at Sheare’s St, Cork, financed and run by S.H.A.R.E., are to continue this year, working with specific organisations to integrate even more of the elderly into the activities of the centre. The Centre now caters for an average of 120 older people each week.

Availing of a range of medical and non-medical services, with the added advantage of a nurse on weekdays, the elderly have an opportunity to meet new friends in a warm, spacious environment.

Activities at the Centre include dance, arts and crafts, bingo, darts, quiz games, knitting, sewing, baking, card games, snooker and drama, exercise, sing along sessions, reminiscence sessions, movies, and the odd luxury of a hand massage. Participants can take part as and if they please, and at their own pace, encouraging them to live their lives gracefully and to their full potential. Many enjoy a hot meal or a snack and can escape to the quiet atmosphere of a library filled with books and computers from generous donors.

‘As we face into our 40th year, S.H.A.R.E. has had a groundswell of support from the general public who have a great fondness for our organisation, and every year has brought new developments and many demands on resources’ said Darragh ODrisceoil, Chairperson of this year’s S.H.A.R.E. Executive. The Executive, drawn from 20 schools all over the city area, drives the efforts with relentless energy during their only annual fundraising campaign, motivating their colleagues in rain, hail or snow! Highly visible in their yellow jackets, from the tomorrow right up to and including Christmas Eve, these boys and girls will again fast and fundraise, encouraging Corkonians to dig deep and make a positive contribution towards S.H.A.R.E.’s commitment to Cork’s elderly.

Those wishing to make a donation to S.H.A.R.E. can call to the focal point, The Crib at Daunt’s Square, or visit the S.H.A.R.E. cribs at Mahon Point, Merchant’s Quay, Wilton, Blackpool, Bishopstown Court, Mahon Point, Douglas Court and Douglas Village Shopping Centre. Alternatively, donations can be posted to S.H.A.R.E., The Brother Jerome Kelly Day Care Centre, Sheare’s Street, Cork where acknowledgements will be issued immediately.

For further information please call:
Mary Hopkins/Therese Cullen
Hopkins Communications Cork
021 4272200; 087 2540804; 087 7738628.
mary@hopkinscommunicatons.ie; pr@hopkinscommunications.ie