The cornerstone of Christmas
Those familiar yellow jackets are back in style for another festive season.
Hundreds of students from 22 schools across Cork city are taking part in this year’s SHARE (Students Harness Aid for the Relief of the Elderly) fundraising efforts
The iconic SHARE crib has been lit up, which marked the beginning of the collection that’s been a cornerstone of Christmas on Leeside for the past 50 years.
A number of students will also take part in the annual SHARE 24 hour fast, and in keeping with tradition, students will man the crib daily in the run-up to Christmas. Students will collect right up until Christmas Eve, raising funds for a charity that has looked after the elderly in the region for half a century.
Áine Cogan, SHARE Executive, said: “2019 marks the 50th year of the fast, which first happened the year before SHARE was officially founded. It’s fitting that it is this year the crib will move back to its original location on St Patrick’s Street, outside Gentleman’s Quarters, the spot where it was first erected back in 1970.
“For those of us involved, SHARE holds a special place in our hearts. Any time we willingly give up to volunteer, we get back 10 fold and we are all privileged to be able to spend time with the older generation of Cork. The people we meet along the way have a lifetime of stories and it’s an honour that they share them with us on our weekly visits.”
Since its foundation in 1970, SHARE has provided a link between students and the elderly. It has created a blueprint for positive engagement between students and the elderly community, word of which has spread nationally and internationally.
Those wishing to support SHARE can also donate at gofundme.com/f/share-annual-christmas-campaign.
Historic overview
May 1976 - 12 houses built and furnished at Clochán Barra, Coach Street
December 1976 - Accommodation for 13 people in furnished houses at Grenville Place
December 1977 - 11 homes provided at Sheares Street
February 1978 - One-storey houses built and furnished at Skellig, Rope Walk, Sundays Well
December 1978 - 13 houses completed on Fair Street
May 1979 - 19 houses completed at Seandún
November 1980 - Accommodation for 18 people at Teach Chill Chré, Dyke Parade
December 1980 – 15 house complex on Abbey Street
December 1983 - 21 houses at William O'Brien Street in Ardfert village
December 1988 - Dún Rís, 32 home complex at Grattan Street
November 1993 – SHARE’s 200th home was opened as part of a 42 apartment complex at Ard Iosaef, Blarney Street
December 2000 - Br Jerome Kelly Day Care Centre opened at Sheares Street to cater for 50-100 people daily
February 2017 - Redeveloped 20 bedsits into ten apartments
2019 - Currently remodelling eight homes in Mount St Joseph