Kilcoole GAA to help vulnerable and the elderly

KILCOOLE GAA and Centra in Kilcoole have joined forces to help senior citizens and vulnerable people in the community to do their shopping.

A group of volunteers from Kilcoole GAA is leading the programme. Volunteers will not enter the home of the person to whom they are making a delivery, and calls made before 11 a. m. will get same day delivery.

Each caller’s information will be in strictest confidence. The initiative is being coordinated by Eamonn Hughes, Declan Greene and Ciaran Dutton, as well as Ian Coughlan in Centra, and with the help of Cathaoirleach of Greystones Municipal District, Cllr Tom Fortune.

They have also extended the service to include the pharmacies.

‘ There is no shortage of people to help,’ said Eamonn, who said that when they put the call out to the club a large number of volunteers came forward.

‘ We’ve had a few calls since we started,’ said Eamonn. ‘ Mainly old people by themselves, a few other calls looking for prescriptions and that kind of thing.’

He said that they were getting things like milk, bread - anything that people might need.

‘ One lady rang us to get her cigarettes, and that was no problem.’

Another woman rang and asked that someone just pop by and wave at their mother to check in on her.

Eamonn said that Ian Coughlan in Centra is very good to the local community.

‘ There are about 20 volunteers in the WhatsApp group,’ he said.

‘ It’s mainly the adult football and hurling team.’

‘As long as it’s needed, we’ll be there,’ said Eamonn. ‘ Everyone is doing this kind of thing all around the country. We’re not doing anything different to anyone else.

‘ The lads are only mad for things to do!’

Cllr Tom Fortune praised the initiative and said that the club is helping the senior citizens and the most vulnerable in the community at such a difficult time.

To avail of the service, call Eamonn on 087 2565571 or Declan on 087 8276912.