This year more than ever, ALONE’s Support & Befriending service has been a lifeline for older and more vulnerable people in communities across Ireland. Throughout 2020 and all of its COVID-related challenges, 1400 trained and Garda-vetted volunteers have offered unwavering friendship and companionship, practical assistance and essential support to those who need it most – in many cases through the window or over the phone.
They have been the backbone of the ALONE service during the ongoing pandemic and their incredible work has made a world of difference to those that have experienced it first-hand.
In acknowledgment of all their work, McDonnells will be delivering a thank you gift to every one of ALONE’s 1400 volunteers around the country.
Announcing McDonnells ‘As Irish As’ Initiative to celebrate the ALONE’s team of volunteers, Barry Synnott, CEO of Boyne Valley Group commented, “For generations, Irish people have been known around the world for our generosity, warmth and spirit. It’s part of our story. It’s how we’ve grown up. It’s who we are, As Irish As. And it’s never been more important. This Christmas will be a different one for everyone, and a difficult one for lots of us. Throughout the year we’ve seen how communities have come together to take care of each other and look after our most vulnerable and isolated. Communities made up of people like ALONE’s 1400 volunteers. They have inspired us to do our bit to help make Christmas a little brighter. On behalf of everyone at McDonnells, we want to say thank you – for the work that they do, for being a friend to our most vulnerable, for being the person that brightens someone’s day or offers practical support and advice. We are thrilled to be working with ALONE to give back to those volunteers and acknowledging the work that they do this Christmas.”
Niall Horan added “The work that ALONE does is invaluable. They ensure that thousands of older people in Ireland can stay living in their own homes whilst feeling connected and safe. These 1,400 amazing volunteers are the lifeline that makes this happen, their selfless generosity deserves to be recognised and I am so grateful to McDonnells for providing each and every one of them with a gift that signals that appreciation. Campaigns like this one are a reminder of how proud it feels to be Irish.”
Seán Moynihan, CEO of ALONE said, “Volunteering is an intrinsic part to ALONE, a key principle of our vision and is embedded in our history as an organisation. Our volunteers have always been heroes in our eyes but working courageously as front-line staff to meet the needs of older people in their communities, who required help, is admirable. Our numbers in volunteers has been growing every year to respond to the needs of older people. Our volunteers have never let us down. Over the course of the last few months their numbers have swelled to meet the surge in demand of those seeking our support. We are grateful to McDonnells for recognising our ALONE volunteers through their ‘As Irish As’ initiative. Every day our volunteers have been giving the most precious thing they can – time.”
Cookie | Duration | Description |
---|---|---|
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional | 11 months | The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". |
viewed_cookie_policy | 11 months | The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data. |
Service Manager
Kevin White
089 409 0549
Balbriggan, Skerries & Lusk
Vacant
0818 222 024
St. Margaret”s, Finglas & Glasnevin
Maura O’Shea
0818 222 024
Telephone Support Coordinator
Michael Kennedy
086 440 2894
Telephone Support Coordinator
Jacob Shakespeare
Telephone Support Coordinator
Anne Marie mc Allister
086 440 7825
Telephone Support Officer
Vacant
0818 222 024
Telephone Support Officer
Sharon McManus
0818 222 024
Telephone Support Officer
Vacant
0818 222 024
Service Manager
Greg O’Reilly
083 385 1221
North Meath & Ardee
Paula Boyce
0818 222 024
East Meath
John Stillman
0818 222 024
Location tbc
Vacant
0818 222 024
Telephone Support Coordinator
Anne Murphy
086 035 3904
Volunteer Support Officer
Frances Sheerin
086 108 5965
National Support Line Coordinators
National Support Line Coordinators
National Support Line Coordinators
National Support Line Coordinators
Aoife Callaghan
Sarah kerr
Aoife Callaghan
Bridgeen Coyle
086 032 6801
087 179 3782
086 032 6801
086 014 6732
Service Manager
Natalie Johnson
083 062 5854
South Dublin Inner City
Vacant
0818 222 024
Rathfarnham, Knocklyon & Ballyboden
Vacant
0818 222 024
Newcastle, Citywest & Saggart
Joe Sullivan
0818 222 024
Northwest Kildare
Annemarie Molloy
Patricia Scanlon
086 013 7256
Service Manager
Shelby Unger
083 060 2419
Volunteer Support Officer
Grainne Kennedy
086 108 2524
Volunteer Support Officer
Vacant
0818 222 024
Service Manager
Lola Fitzgibbon
086 084 1360
Southwest Wexford
Natalia Gembicka
086 014 4915
Service Manager
Siobhan Walsh
086 084 1674
Northeast Cork
Vacant
0818 222 024
Central Cork
Veronica Reidy
Clare Seymour
086 075 3867
086 107 9433
Telephone Support Coordinator
Geraldine Commins
086 013 1570
Volunteer Support Officer
Mairead Egan
087 253 1380
Volunteer Support Officer
Maria O’Connor
Volunteer Support Officer
Tracey Kearney
086 440 9893
Service Manager
Martina Kinane
087 407 4085
Caroline Bradley
West Limerick
Margaret Collum
Volunteer Support Officers
Aoife Dennehy
086 211 5307
Volunteer Support Officers
Vacant
0818 222 024
Service Manager
Ciaran Gilligan
083 878 6080
Service Manager
Frances Browne
087 751 6087
Inishowen (CHN Learning Site)
Bronagh Doyle
086 171 6984
Inishowen (CHN Learning Site)
Gráinne Hargan
West Donegal
Emma Kennedy
086 720 8686
Donegal inishowen
Vacant
0818 222 024
Telephone Support Coordinator
Deirdre Browne
074 932 1598
Telephone Support Coordinator
Catherine Reilly
National Support & Referral Line Coordinator
Kathleen Bonner