Ten good deeds in Cork during the coronavirus pandemic
AT a time of great anxiety, fear and uncertainty, all over the country, people are pulling together and acts of kindness both big and small have never been more prevalent.
Announcing the launch of a major national and local initiative called the Community Call yesterday, Tánaiste Simon Coveney lauded the strength of communities in Ireland, saying that they will be "the decisive factor in protecting and restoring our society and our economy".
"This is an unprecedented mobilisation of State and voluntary resources to combat the effects of a crisis that has come on us, so suddenly and so unexpectedly.
"I am convinced, though, that our communities will be the decisive factor in protecting and restoring our society and our economy in the weeks and months ahead, bringing us to a better future.
"In my view, Ireland has stronger communities than any other country in the world," he said.
In Cork, communities have been rallying together, pooling resources to give them to those that need them most, offering words of reassurance to each other and keeping frontline workers fed with an abundance of deliveries to hospitals and nursing homes.
Here are just a few examples of those incredible gestures:
Last month, Cork Penny Dinners soup kitchen underwent a specialist deep-clean to ensure that volunteers who provide a vital service to the most vulnerable can continue to supply food during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Specialist contractors, Sanitise Ireland, donated their time to do the deep-clean for free, a gesture which Caitriona Twomey, head of Cork Penny Dinners, greatly appreciated.
Sanitise Ireland have stated that they will continue this service for the duration of the crisis so that Penny Dinners can continue the incredible work that they do.
Countless businesses in Cork have been providing free food to HSE staff and members of the emergency services who are central to the fight against Covid-19.
Such businesses include PizzAmore, Istanbul Kebab, Izz Cafe and Soma Coffee Company, who are donating free bags of coffee to frontline staff.
Many companies with personal protective equipment in stock have donated their supplies to hospitals and nursing homes, which need them the most at this time.
Earlier this week, Irish beauty treatment company, Thérapie Clinic announced it would be donating their entire supply of hand sanitizer, gloves, masks and paper rolls, to hospitals and nursing homes across Ireland and the UK.
Since then, staff have been busy making deliveries, including one to Cork University Hospital (CUH).
In a message to frontline workers, the business thanked healthcare staff for their sublime efforts.
"We cannot thank the frontline staff enough for putting their lives on the line for our country's health. We're beyond grateful."
Two ingenious students at Kinsale Community School hit the headlines earlier this week after they contacted their principal in recent days about the possibility of making Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for medics in hospitals.
Fifth-year student Oisin Coyle and Transition year pupil Shane Collins are making face shields for HSE staff using 3D printers in their school, which have been approved by medical professionals.
M&P O'Sullivan gave a special Easter treat to frontline workers, providing them with 900 Easter eggs.
Additionally, the company donated 9,000 Kitkats, 2,500 Mint Aeros, 5,000 Fruit Pastilles, 400 Tayto, 300 Nature Valley Bars and 3,000 bottles of Lucozade and Ballygowan to provide staff with a much-needed energy boost.
Earlier this week, emergency services made sure that Cork boy Rian's birthday was celebrated in style and drove past his house with a special convoy to mark his 10th birthday.
Elsewhere, Gardaí are helping elderly people in their community by delivering shopping and ensuring that the pubic is kept safe with checkpoints around the city to make sure that government directives are being complied with.
Charities such as Cork Penny Dinners, Meals on Wheels and Cork Simon Community, which provide support to the most vulnerable people in Cork have kept up their phenomenal work despite having to overhaul their operations due to social distancing requirements.
Speaking to last month, Caitriona Twomey of Cork Penny Dinners said that while there is a greater demand on services, help will always given to those who need it.
"The demand for our services has quadrupled since the coronavirus crisis began and we are expecting that to grow.
"People's financial situations have changed very suddenly as a result of this pandemic but our message at Cork Penny Dinners is clear - don't be short on food, we're here to help whenever and if ever you need it," she said.
New community response groups, aimed at proving support to people who need it most during Covid-19, have formed all over Cork.
One such example is musician Ben Hendrick, of Glanmire, who established 'Cork Covi-19 Volunteers for the Vulnerable' a network of volunteers to help with the daily needs of the elderly and the vulnerable.
In just three days, Ben's group had attracted more than 1,000 people - showing that there's no shortage of goodwill in Cork.
Numerous Cork people living abroad have returned home to help Ireland win the fight against Covid-19.
Amongst them is West Cork couple, Aidan Coffey and Lorna Kelly, who are both doctors and were living in New Zealand but flew home recently to play their part in the Covid-19 fight in Ireland.
Late last month, as a mark of thanks and respect, many people took to the streets or applauded from inside their homes for healthcare workers, members of the emergency services and everyone else on the frontline in the fight against Covid-19.
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