The Licensed Vintners Association (LVA), which represents Dublin publicans, has announced details of a new community initiative with ALONE, the charity that supports older people living on their own at home.
The LVA, which has 600 members, is marking its bicentenary this year and is aiming to raise €200,000 for the charity through the fundraising initiative. ALONE, which celebrates its 40 anniversary this year, is a national organisation that supports older people at home by providing community engagement programmes and other services to address social isolation among the elderly. The aim of the service is to enhance the lives of older people by introducing them to volunteer ‘Befrienders’ who will provide them with companionship.
Work done by the charity’s staff and its 500 active volunteers depends on public support and 100 per cent of all donations go directly to providing services to older people in need. To support the initiative, Guinness has brewed a limited edition beer called ‘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 (charity No CHY8259) by Guinness and the publican to support the expansion of its ‘Befriending Services’. Dublin Amber will be available on draught in hundreds of pubs across Dublin from March 2017 for a limited time.
“The LVA is one of the oldest trade associations in the country and since its foundation in 1817 has played a hugely important role in the social, business and cultural life of our capital city. It was really important for our members that we mark the bicentenary with a significant charity initiative, to give something back to Dublin. 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,” said CEO of the LVA, Donall O’Keeffe.
Welcoming the initiative Seán Moynihan, CEO of ALONE, said the funds raised for the ‘Befriending Services’ would help the organisation reach out to the 1 in 10 older people who experience chronic loneliness. "Staying connected with their communities is vital for older people living alone. Meeting and socialising with old friends, meeting new ones, encourages and motivates our older people to remain active," he added.
