Check in with the elderly
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Isabel O’Brien, from Regina Mundi College.Image 2 of 4
Holly Jones, St Aloysius College, Liam Fitzgerald, Presentation Brothers and Sofia O’Regan, Mount Mercy College.Image 3 of 4
Odran Murphy, Presentation Brothers and Tamsin Smith, Scoil Mhuire Cork.Image 4 of 4
Zak O’Sullivan, Michael Scott and Sam Geary, from Presentation Brothers.Those yellow jackets synonyms with Christmas in Cork city will be dotted around the bustling streets soon.
The 55th annual SHARE Student Fast will be held on 29 November as part of Yellow Day, which marks the start of the 2024 SHARE (Students Harness Aid for the Relief of the Elderly) fundraising campaign.
The students of Cork will once again ask school students across Cork to wear yellow to raise funds to support the elderly in Cork. The campaign also aims to grow awareness of the isolation felt by the vulnerable elderly in Cork, and the students are asking everyone to check in with the elderly in your community over this Christmas period.
The annual street collection is scheduled as usual in December and keeping with tradition, students will attend the crib daily in the run-up to Christmas as they coordinate the daily fundraising effort.
Yellow Day was introduced in 2020 as an outreach to schools across Cork wishing to participate in the annual campaign.
Chair of the 2024 Executive, Zac O’Sullivan said: “55 years ago a group of students set out to spread a message. They recognised the injustice of the plight of the elderly, and set out to do something to change this. They started the first collection and the first fast. From there, SHARE was born.
“The organisation has grown from strength to strength. This year, the student executive have decided to expand our annual FAST and have recruited students from across Cork city and county to join us in fasting for Yellow Day. We ask the people of Cork to show you care for the Elderly in Cork, and support the important work SHARE does.”
Kayla Cronin, part of the 2024 Student Executive commented “SHARE has created a special relationship between the elderly and the students of Cork since its foundation. The organisation has 140 homes across Cork in seven different areas. The elderly are visited by the students weekly who provide social interaction and entertainment. Stories and laughs are shared in the residents' homes, and it’s amazing how quickly bonds are formed.
“We are also supporting the dementia programme, which provides support to those living with dementia and their carers, across Cork city and county. Those living with dementia are welcome to visit SHARE every Wednesday from 2–4pm, where they meet with students, an SHARE coordinator, and adult volunteers for some music, bingo, games, singing, chats and a bit of fun in a safe and homely environment. Of course there’s plenty of tea and coffee on offer too!”