Helping those who need it

A new initiative is bringing communities together to support those who are most in need during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Covid Community Response (CCR), which Knocknaheeny’s Danny O’Donovan helped to set up, has announced the release of its national support helpline where members of the public seeking assistance can text 086-180 0256 or call 021-2377809.

The CCR team was set up in an effort to help coordinate ongoing national and local community initiatives in the fight against Covid-19, standardising communication and campaigns as well as sharing resources.

It has been working with both individuals and organisations in coordinating volunteers and assisting those in need of support at this time.

Speaking about the campaign and what CCR does, software engineer Danny O’Donovan, explained: “Our helpline is a very big step forward. We have managed to set up a professional helpline operated entirely by volunteers.

“As we know, many communities are doing extraordinary work around the country, and we are just adding to this by creating a coordinated system to make sure nobody is without support.”

The helpline is available from 9am-9pm, and volunteers can register at any time on the CovidCommunityResponse.ie website.

Spokesperson Séamus Ó Fátharta said: “The battlefield for this challenge extends beyond the valiant efforts of our front line staff and rests on our collective doorstep. A coordinated community response may seem secondary to the challenges faced by those on the front line but it will make all the difference. It is important to reiterate that everyone can help. People who can deliver supplies to the elderly are as important as medical staff at this time.”