SHARE ‘the greatest thing ever to happen to me’, says Tony

A REMARKABLE octogenarian opened up about how a local charity helped him back from the brink following a terrifying attack in Cork city.

Blackpool native Tony O’Leary paid tribute to SHARE (Students Harness Aid for the Relief of the Elderly) at the charity’s annual Christmas lunch for residents and student volunteers yesterday.

Held in Sheares Street, the event provides residents from various SHARE complexes with a chance to gather and celebrate Christmas.

SHARE manages 140 homes for elderly people across seven Cork locations, which school students visit on a weekly basis, in between fundraising to support the service.

However, 81-year-old Mr O’Leary, who previously worked in Irish Distillers, explained that the charity to do a lot more than provide accommodation.

He first moved into SHARE accommodation back in 2015 after the person he lived with was forced to give up his home.

“I had no place to go. SHARE was the greatest thing ever to happen to me."

He described how the charity provided him with a safe space full of caring and friendly people. Nonetheless, he found his world turned on its head once again in 2019.

“I was coming home with messages,” he recalled. “My neighbour is a wheelchair user so I was carrying their messages too.” Speaking of his attacker he said:

“My hearing is bad and I didn’t hear what the man said to me. The next thing I felt a punch in the back of my head. I ended up on the ground and had tablets taken. My hip was broken in two places."

"SHARE were very good to me. They kept me going after the operation in CUH. When the weather is cold and the night is dark and it’s too dangerous to go outside I feel safe with SHARE.” 

The Cork man’s refusal to allow the experience embitter his outlook has been a source of inspiration to fellow SHARE residents and volunteers.

“In a way it frightened me,” he said of his experience, “but there is no point being bitter. My world is different to yours and I have nothing against no one.” Tony is popular among SHARE residents for his good humour and puts his indelible strength down to a link to the late Irish politician, Terence MacSwiney.

Meanwhile, John Long from Cork city spoke of his experience in SHARE accommodation over the last 20 years.

“I would be homeless if it wasn’t for SHARE."

“Here you feel part of a big family. It was strange coming here at first but things really worked out. Life would be miserable without SHARE. I would be sleeping rough if I didn’t have them but I’m looking forward to tomorrow instead. I couldn’t wish for anything better and respect them so much for what they are and what they do. SHARE makes life bearable.” Larry Duggan from Dublin Pike has been a share resident for six years.

“My neighbours are nice and quiet,” Larry said. “They are also friendly. It was really strange coming here but I really like it here.” To find out more or donate to the cause visit https://sharecork.org/donations/.