Pictures: Community project and Gardaí surprised Cork residents with Easter eggs 

Working together, Gardaí from Togher Community Policing and volunteers with the Community Development Project surprised elderly residents as well as key community workers by delivering 150 Easter eggs on Saturday.

"In the current circumstances, there's never been more of a need to help people and to make them feel better," Siobhán O’Dowd, coordinator of Ballyphehane Togher Community Development Project told The Echo.

"It was a beautiful sunny Saturday and no one knew we were delivering the eggs. 

"It was just about giving people a little gift and bringing a smile to their faces," she said. 

"With the help of the Gardaí, we were able to brighten up Easter Saturday for some older residents, volunteers and group leaders."

Established in 1994, Ballyphehane Togher Community Development Project, based on Friars Walk, is a community anchor project, managed by local people to respond to local needs.

Particularly during the Covid-19 crisis, volunteers have been going above and beyond to ensure elderly and vulnerable residents are safe and comfortable.

"We have amazing volunteers who have been helping with food deliveries and ringing neighbours, keeping an eye out for those most vulnerable," Siobhán said. 

"Technology is very useful, particularly at the moment. It's important that people do call or text their neighbours. "We've been using our social media to spread some positivity. 

"Yesterday, for example, we shared some images of cherry blossoms in the area for people who can't get out to see them. 

"Cherry blossoms feature in the Ballyphehane Togher Community Development Project logo, which has an anchor for the strength of a project rooted in the community, surrounded by the softness of the cherry blossoms," Siobhán explained.

Thanking the Gardaí for their assistance on Saturday, Siobhán said that it was important for elderly people in the area, especially for those living alone, to see people in person - all the whilst maintaining social distance.

"The Gardaí made a list of people in the area who could really do with an Easter egg and so did we at the CDP. 

"That way we were able to identify people who needed the support most. 

"We made the supplies we had stretch as far as possible, although we would have loved to have an egg for everyone," she said.

"Saturday was really important too because it gave people the chance to say if they had any other needs that aren't currently being met and we can help them further."

If you need support, you can contact BTCDP on 021-4319085; Togher Community Policing on 021-4947120 or Cork City Council Covid Community Response on 1800 222 226.