Agnes Johnson, 80, crochets 100+ decorations for local elderly

Dublin People 21 Dec 2020

A Donnycarney local Agnes Johnson, 80, has been resting from a hip injury in recent weeks.

With a bit of time on her hands and not much to be doing during the pandemic, Johnson decided to create Christmas decorations – not for herself but people in the community who might be feeling lonely this festive period.

Johnson, who has been a volunteer with the Irish Red Cross for over 30 years, says she got the idea when she realised that many people wouldn’t be able to have visitors to their homes and care homes this year due to Covid-19.

“I was telling my daughter that I wanted to crochet some decorations for older people in the area and she said to me, “Mam, you are one of the older people in the area!’”

“I’m lucky though because I have my kids and my grandkids close by and I know that some people don’t have anyone.

“It can get very lonely, especially at this time of the year and I just wanted them to know that someone was thinking of them.”

“Anyway”, she joked, “when I’m sitting down making decorations it keeps me out of harm’s way.”

Johnson managed to crochet over 100 decorations which have been delivered to homes in the area by Irish Red Cross volunteers, along with hot meals and groceries.
Johnson volunteers as a therapeutic care practitioner with the Irish Red Cross, giving hand, arm, neck, and shoulder massages to care home residents and people in hospices and hospital.

“A lot of the time you’re providing a bit of a listening ear for people and it’s heart-breaking to think they won’t have that now.

“When I was doing the decorations, I was thinking that every stitch I do is one of my thoughts going to someone who is lonely and needs it.”

During Covid-19 the Irish Red Cross has been delivering groceries and prescriptions to older and isolated people in communities across Ireland.

The volunteers have also been busy delivering vital Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to care homes, women’s refugees, and community locations such as schools, around the country.

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