SHARE fundraisers continue the tradition of goodwill and hard work as the 44th campaign launches

Dec. 17, 2013 - PRLog -- SHARE (Students Harness Aid for the Relief of the Elderly), the organisation for the care of Cork’s elderly, launches its traditional fast and fundraising campaign at the SHARE Crib, Daunt’s Square, Cork, (near Grand Parade), on Sunday next, 15^th December 2013.  It is the 44th year in which 1,800 fourth and fifth-year students from 20 schools rally round to raise funds for SHARE, the only campaign it undertakes throughout the year.

From the start in 1970 the girls and boys of SHARE who fundraise on the streets at this time every year have all been volunteers and every euro collected goes to support the elderly.”

‘We are excited to take up this annual tradition; it is almost like a rite of passage for Cork’s young people. We are of course mindful that this year will be another challenging year for us, and for people generally’ said 17 year old Michael McGrath, Chairman of the SHARE Executive (a group of 56 young students tasked with steering the initiative). ‘We know people have had to tighten their belts yet again this year but we feel confident that we can rely on the people of Cork, who have always shown immense generosity and open heartedness when it comes to SHARE – they know that this Christmas campaign is our one and only fundraiser, they know the older people of Cork need support services more than most, and they always support us’ he said.

‘The theme of this year’s campaign is Dignity, Respect and Compassion. These values lie at the heart of what SHARE aims to provide in supporting Cork’s elderly community ever since SHARE was founded by Brother Jerome Kelly in 1970 and we want to ensure that tradition of maintain dignity, respect and compassion continues’ the young Chairman said. Our efforts are not just at Christmas, SHARE boys and girls visit residents in their homes and at the Day Care Centre throughout the year, enabling us to understand the realities of advancing years and the joys and challenges they bring first hand’.

The Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Catherine Clancy, together with Bishop John Buckley and Bishop Paul Colton, will join the young students of SHARE to mark the start of this unique and necessary campaign centred around the Crib at Daunt’s Square, Cork, while The Cork City Fire Brigade & Togher Pipe Band will play seasonal tunes, creating a real sense of occasion for the commencement of the Christmas campaign at The Crib in Daunt’s Square, Cork.

Approximately 1,800 students will be participating in the fast and fundraising, with their bright yellow sealed collection boxes and yellow jackets, encouraging people to donate to SHARE and help sustain and enhance the important work of this beloved Cork charity.  The SHARE boys and girls will collect in the city centre up until Christmas Eve, as many of their parents and older siblings have done before them.  The general public will also have an opportunity to give donations at SHARE cribs in specific shopping centres around the city and suburbs or at the Brother Jerome Kelly Day Care Centre in Sheare's Street, Cork.

‘SHARE has provided almost 200 secure and comfortable housing units throughout Cork city during its 44 year history There are many demands on its resources, and many people wishing to find a home with SHARE and they try to facilitate them in the true spirit of Christmas.  With the Crib as our focal point, we always try to keep the spiritual message of Christmas out there’ said Michael McGrath.

‘From Sunday the 15^th December right up to and including Christmas Eve, the boys and girls of Cork’s secondary schools will again fast and fundraise, encouraging Corkonians to dig deep and make a positive contribution towards SHARE’s commitment to our elderly’ he said.

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

www.sharecork.org