Daniel O’Donnell said he is so proud that Ireland’s sense of community is greater than anywhere else in the world but appealed for people to look after our elderly.
The singing sensation was speaking at the expansion of ALONE’s services in his native Donegal today.
The charity, which helps support people to age at home by offering a range of services, has teamed up with Good Morning Donegal.
The Good Morning Donegal service provides daily phonecalls to the elderly to ensure that are feeling okay and to provide some social company.
Daniel’s own late mother Julia used the service and he said it is this kind of care which makes Ireland such a great place.
“I think the important thing is that in years past there was a great awareness of the community and I think that’s still here.
“I always think that Ireland has changed but there is still something here in Ireland that is not in many places.
“We still have a great community spirit and if somebody is in trouble then people rally,” he said.
Daniel said that it is not just rural Ireland which needs such services but in the larger cities such as Dublin also.
“I think it is important is a smaller community and I think it is important in the biggest city too. Because having people doesn’t mean that you have people with you.
“You can be living in a very built-up area and never see anyone so its important in the rural community but it is important in the city too.
“This is not something just for a county like Donegal because I think that an awful lot of the time we think that if we’re in a built-up area then somebody is going to be there but that’s not always the case.
“In a way in the rural community, you have more of a connection in the rural community. It is invaluable because people on their own might not see anyone but if they get that call then it really connects you,” he added.
The singer added that there are a lot of issues which have led to isolation but paid tribute to the volunteers who help Ireland’s older community.
“There’s a lot of issues that have caused this. But I think as long as there are organisations like this that have their finger on the pulse and you need your finger on the pulse to know how the blood is running,” he added.
Sean Moynihan, CEO of ALONE, said they are delighted to be expanding their services to people in Donegal with more than 15,800 aged over 65 in the county and with 6,500 of those living alone.
“He said “Our volunteers help to support older people by offering them a visit or a phonecall, having a chat and providing access to support. Often, they go on to make a friend for life.”
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