Wildlife of the Arctic swoops in to support care homes
A NEW photography initiative is giving nursing home residents a glimpse into some of the world’s most exotic locations.
Every nursing home across Ireland will receive a collection of photographs taken from the worldwide travels of Dublin explorer Vincent Butler.
Mr Butler is behind the Sixty Photographs for Simon collection, an initiative to raise money for homelessness charity, the Simon Community, and promote the Irish tradition of the ‘meitheal’.
The collection of photographs were taken from the explorer’s worldwide travels when he worked as a lecturer aboard the expedition cruise ship, the National Geographic Explorer, and as an expedition leader with Across The Divide.
Twenty-five countries are represented in a broad geographical sweep, in the collection of pictures, from the Arctic to the Sahara, to the Antarctic.
The book was originally published in 2018 and is now being sent to more than 400 nursing homes across the country, and also to schools following the recent fundraising initiative to support the Simon Community.
In the lead-up to Christmas, Mr Butler launched the initiative, whereby every €10 donation received would result in a copy of the book being sent to a nursing home or a school.
He raised more than €12,000, which will see every nursing home receiving the collection.
More than 800 schools will also be given one. The initiative is supported by An Post’s freepost service for parcels being delivered into the nursing homes.
Mr Butler declared: ‘My travels provided me with an opportunity to explore some of the most diverse locations and to capture different geographies, wildlife, natural history and heritage. My camera was my companion to capture these special experiences and the book picks out the finest pictures and most memorable of these.
‘I hope it gives people in our nursing homes and schools an insight into the different countries and cultures I was very fortunate to get to know – and provokes discussion, curiosity and enjoyment.
‘Those who contributed were supporting not just the Simon Community but also expressing solidarity with people in our nursing homes during these difficult times.
‘I am delighted to report that the Irish tradition of “meitheal”, the coming together of a group of people to help others, is very much alive in our wonderful country.’
Anyone wishing to donate can visit vincentbutlerheritage.ie.