Student volunteers join Share residents for Christmas lunch in Cork

Festive cheer was in the air as Share hosted its annual Christmas lunch for both residents and student volunteers.

Spending Wednesday afternoon in the company of the people who avail of the services provided by Share, it was clear how much both the Christmas lunch and Share overall mean to so many people.

Residents got to enjoy their festive lunch, chatting with one another and sharing stories.

Once the meal was concluded, residents and students danced the afternoon away with music provided by a live band.

Share provides supported independent living in over 140 housing units in seven locations, and runs a day care centre offering medical and social support.

Among those to speak with The Echo at the Br Jerome Day Care Centre, Sheares St, Cork city, was Alan Jones.

Originally from Rhondda Valley in Wales, Mr Jones initially came to Cork on a holiday. But such was his experience of Leeside that he decided to make Cork his home.

Mr Jones sums up well the mood among the attendees of the Share Christmas lunch.

“There would be a lot of people struggling right now if it wasn’t for Share. They are brilliant, they are,” said Mr Jones.

“What would we be doing now if we wasn’t having this Christmas lunch? Stuck in our room doing nothing. They look after us, they do. It is a lovely day for me.

“Share look after hundreds of old people, they need looking after, and Share do a damn good job.”

Jerry O’Flaherty, who is originally from Listowel in Co Kerry, describes the significant impact Share has on his life.

“They are very good to me. Share do great work and it is all positive work that they do,” said Mr O’Flaherty.

“I do a lot of exercise because I have prostate cancer. I do a lot of exercise on the Lee Fields and with the Mardyke.

“That is all helping me with the prostate cancer. So the whole thing is working very well.

“They allow you to do what you need to do yourself. But they help you as well.”

James Ryan, a Share resident, originally from Limerick, said: “I have been in Share nearly seven years myself. They are the best.

“The work that they do is very important to the elderly of Cork.”

Students from numerous local schools are heavily involved in year-round activities with Share and the annual Christmas fundraising campaign.

It is also in evidence how much the students benefit from giving up their time to volunteer for Share and the important life skills gained.

Regan O’Riordan from St Angela’s College in Cork told The Echo: “I think it is so important. I have seen the changes myself in the people and how happy they are in the situation they are in now, compared to the situation that they were in.

“To see them in a better place now, it is so heartwarming that they are happier now. I think it is so important that Share offers that to them.”

Jack Donnelly from Presentation Brothers Cork said: “Share is massive in Cork and there is a lot of people relying on them.”

The annual Share Christmas street collection will be launched this evening with the blessing of the Patrick Street crib at 6pm.

Students from 23 Cork schools will collect from December 13 up to Christmas Eve, raising much needed funds for a charity that has looked after the elderly on Leeside for half a century.