SHARE (Students Harness Aid for the Relief of the Elderly) are fundraising across the streets of Cork this week in support of Cork’s elderly community and those most vulnerable among us. In another challenging year where Christmas shoppers are online rather than on street, the team are working hard to raise awareness of their work and their message. Until Christmas Eve, hundreds of students from schools across the City will be visible on the streets of the city wearing the familiar yellow jackets as they reach out to the generous Cork public for support.

Fasting has been a part of the SHARE tradition since the beginning. It is traditional that a small number of students fast every day at the Crib. This year, hundreds of students are taking on the challenge on Christmas week, and welcoming donations through their GoFundMe campaign (https://sharecork.org/donations/ ).

An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin stopped by today to show his support for the work of SHARE and it’s fasting students.

This year, in consideration of ongoing Covid-19 precautions, SHARE initiatives, include:

• A larger scale fast with online fundraising on GoFundMe (https://sharecork.org/donations/ )
• ‘Tap to Share’ boxes which accept debit and credit cards and eliminate the need to handle coins and cash;
• their traditional coin collection boxes. SHARE lapel stickers will be optional, in consideration of social distancing requirements.
• the second annual Yellow Day, – a huge success introduced as an outreach to schools across the county wishing to participate in the annual campaign, without being involved in street collections. Schools and students have readily embraced the initiative of wearing yellow for one day held on 25^th November.
• a city bus wrap campaign to promote online donations through www.sharecork.org.

Speaking at his visit to the crib, An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin said,

I would like to acknowledge the hard work of all involved in SHARE. To see the students, out in all weather conditions, with many fasting, is very impressive. As many of us look forward to celebrating Christmas with our families, these young people are shining a light on the needs of the elderly in our community where isolation and loneliness remains a hardship for many, particularly at this time of year. These students continue on a long tradition in Cork and through their effort represent the true spirit of Christmas and I applaud their great work.

Ronan McAuliffe, chair of the 2021 SHARE executive, also spoke of the 2021 SHARE charity drive,

We are determined to do our level best to make this our best fundraising year yet. Covid-19 certainly made it more challenging this year but I am proud to say that the entire SHARE team has turned out in huge numbers to fundraise for the essential support services of the SHARE community. Our gratitude goes to the people of Cork for their ongoing kindness and generosity which makes a difference to the lives of so many.   

Those wishing to support SHARE can donate at https://sharecork.org/donations/.

Notes:

What is SHARE?

SHARE is a registered charity, founded in 1970 by students from Cork, who raised funds to try and make existing housing more comfortable. The organisation has gone from strength to strength since then, now encompassing schools across Cork city and county, whose students fast and fundraise annually at Christmas time for SHARE.

Since its foundation in 1970, SHARE has provided a unique link between students and the elderly. It has created a blueprint for positive engagement between students and the elderly community, gaining national and international recognition. 

Since its inception, SHARE has tackled the housing crisis for the particularly vulnerable elderly people of Cork City. Evolving over the last 50 years, the organisation, led by students, runs 140 homes in the area, across seven different locations. Students visit these homes on a weekly basis, offering much sought-after social engagement. In addition to this, the Brother Jerome Day Care Centre caters for up to 125 clients each week (with the exception of Covid-19 restriction periods) , offering a social environment, hot meals, fun and activities.  

SHARE Homes

SHARE’s 140 housing units, located around the City, are comfortable, secure and homely, and are overseen by SHARE personnel on an on-going basis.

The continuous maintenance and running of SHARE’s homes, situated around the City at Blarney St, Shandon St, Blackpool, Grattan St, Sunday’s Well, Abbey St and Sheare’s St, is an ongoing commitment for SHARE – a commitment all members of SHARE are happy to undertake, to ensure residents can live in peace and comfort.

Milestones:

• May 1976 – 12 houses built and furnished at Clochán Barra, Coach St
• Dec 1976 – Accommodation provided for 13 people in 3-bedroomed furnished houses at Glendalough, Grenville Place.
• Dec 1977 – 11 homes provided at Ard Mhaca, Sheares St
• Feb 1978 7 – One-storey houses built and furnished at Skellig, Rope Walk, Sunday’s Well
• Dec 1978 – 13 houses completed at Cnoc Mhuire na Toirbhirte, Fair St
• May 1979 – 19 houses completed at Cnoc Mhuire Seandún
• Nov 1980 – Accommodation for 18 people at Teach Chill Chré, Dyke Parade
• Dec 1980 – 15-house complex, Gougane Barra, Abbey St
• Dec 1983 – Ardfert Village, 21 houses at William O’Brien St
• Dec 1988 – Dún Rís, 32-home complex at Grattan St
• Nov 1993 – SHARE’s 200th home was opened as part of a 42-apartment complex at Ard Iosaef, Blarney St
• Dec 2000 – Br Jerome Kelly Day Care Centre opened at Sheare’s St to cater for 50-100 people daily, offering medical and social support, as well as fun and warm meals.
• Feb 2017 – Redeveloped 20 bedsits into 10 apartments
• 2019 – Remodelled 8 homes in Mount St Joseph

SHARE also provides medical and social support through its Day Care Centre on a daily basis, which involves an activity coordinator and support staff. In addition, the HSE provides a nurse and two care assistants who help the clients secure the extra resources and help they require.

In recent years, SHARE has piloted a dementia outreach programme, to visit those living with dementia in the wider community. Where, once vetted, an adult volunteer and two students go on these visits for two hours each week. In addition to keeping the person living with dementia company  there is a benefit to the carers as it allows them the freedom to take some time out for themselves, as normally they could be on call 24/7.

Help support Cork Safety Alerts by becoming a member – Click Here