Dublin publicans raise €25,000 for Alone charity

OVER 30 publicans and their staff took to the streets of Dublin to raise over €20,000 for Alone, the charity that supports older people to age at home

 The ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ sponsored walk, which took place from their individual pubs to the head office of the Licensed Vintners Association (LVA) on Anglesea Road, was part of their charity partnership with Alone. 

The LVA hopes to raise €200,000 for the charity this year to mark its bicentenary and Alone’s 40th anniversary.

To support the initiative, Guinness has brewed a limited edition beer, Guinness Dublin Amber Pale Ale.

A joint donation of fifty cent for each pint of Dublin Amber sold in participating pubs will be made to Alone by Guinness and the publicans to support the expansion of its Befriending Service.

This scheme provides companionship to older people who are socially isolated through a weekly volunteer visit. 

John Gleeson, Chairman of the LVA, said: “Community has always been at the heart of the Dublin pub, and we are delighted that we are able to support the important work Alone does in helping older people to stay in their homes and remain active in the local community.

“We are delighted with the funds raised so far and are optimistic that we will reach our ambitious target of €200,000 by the end of our bicentenary year of 2017.”

Speaking at the event, Sean Moynihan, CEO of Alone, added: “We would like to thank Dublin’s publicans for their tremendous effort today, despite the bad weather, and their continued support.

“The money raised today, and throughout the year, will go towards our Housing with Support and Befriending services.

“Together, we are working so that no older person is left without friendship and support.”

This year marked 40 years since Alone was founded. Over the years the charity has supported thousands of older people to age at home.

Alone works with those who have issues with loneliness and social isolation, lack of services, poor health, poverty, or homelessness.

They provide support coordination, housing with support and befriending  services to over 1,000 older people nationwide.