Cork student Abbie creates artwork for Tony (80)

A fifth year student from Midleton recently visited a Douglas nursing home to meet a resident who was gifted a meaningful piece of artwork from her.

Tony Kelleher, an 80-year-old resident in the Maryborough nursing home, received a handmade Christmas card from a student of St Mary’s High School in Midleton.

Touched by the kind gesture, Mr Kelleher wrote a letter back, sharing details about himself and his family.

Fifth class student Abbie Roche created a piece of artwork based on his family, using symbols to represent each family member and titling the piece

Ní neart go cur le Chéile. School principal Donncha Ó Briain visited the nursing home in March and gave the framed artwork to Mr Kelleher.

His son, Stephen, said: “We, the family, were totally blown away by this though gesture from Abbie which truly represents her kind nature and artistic talent.” 

Stephen made contact with the school principal and nursing home event co-ordinator to arrange for Abbie and others from the school to attend Maryborough and meet his father.

Teacher Michelle O’Driscoll told The Echo that she has been organising Christmas card making for local nursing homes with fellow teacher Lydia Walsh for the last few years.

“We put a little Christmas box outside the principal’s office for two or three weeks and we’d have 400 to 500 cards. 

"We’d never heard back from a resident with a letter before, and we thought it would be lovely to create a portrait of his family. I got onto Abbie who makes cards herself at home and always puts so much detail into them, they’re gorgeous.” 

Abbie said: “There was no photo, and it kills me not having a reference photo, so instead I decided to use symbols.” 

She completed the artwork over five days during the school holidays, and said: “I was happy out doing it, I used oven bake clay which I hadn’t had the change to do for while with school being so busy.

“I knew if it was going to make this man smile it’s worth it. I’m not special for doing what I did – anyone could have done it, so hopefully this will encourage other people if you’re in a position to do something nice for someone then do it, it can mean so much to somebody.”