BJD woman helping the homeless

More than 60 people living on the streets in Dublin received care packages containing essential toiletries and other products, all collected and donated by the a Cavan businesswoman at the weekend.

Incredibly, what went out and was delivered by the Helping the Homeless charity, was only a fraction of that collected by Shirley Byers, proprietor of The Claddagh Bar in Ballyjamesduff.

Inspired by an initiative run by friend Sinead McClean, who was gathering clothes for the homeless, Shirley took it upon herself to speak with Dublin homeless activist Tina McCabe who informed her of just how bad things are for some people, and of the need for toiletries and other such items.

From that, Shirley put a post on Facebook notifying the local community of her endeavour, the response to which, she tells theCelt, has been “phenomenal”.

Shirley’s own family, including aunts, uncles and cousins, collected almost €400 between them for the purchase of toiletries; while Rodney’s Centra and Gormley’s chemist also donated a couple of boxes full of care products.

The items included treats too, as well as underwear, deodorants, toothbrushes, toothpastes, drinks and much more. All were delivered last Saturday, May 16.

Responding to the local show of generosity, Tina McCabe posted a message on social media thanking Shirley for their thoughtfulness.

She also thanked the local businesses as well, saying: “It really means a lot.”