Students Harness Aid For The Relief of The Elderly - Organisation

Organisation

Although originally made up solely of students of Presentation College, SHARE is currently organised by an elected Executive committee of 50–60, composed of students from the 18 secondary schools in Cork city. These students are typically fifth year or senior cycle students. Pres still maintains a strong presence on the committee, with the chairman elected from the school, in recognition of its role in founding the organisation.

The organisation's sole collection period each year is the "Christmas Fast & Fundraising Campaign", which starts on 14 December and spans the 10 day run up to Christmas. During this time, the members of the Executive committee spend as much as ten hours collecting in the city centre each day, with the focal point of the collection at The Crib in Daunt's Square. Additionally, there is a separate Fasting Committee, which spends 24 hours fasting outside the crib at a time. The campaign is therefore linked with the Christian message of the Gospel and the significance and relevance of the Christmas Crib. There are also cribs in the city’s main shopping centres, in the Blackpool, Bishopstown Court, Douglas Court, Douglas Village, Mahon Point, Merchant’s Quay and Wilton shopping centres.

Overall, 1800 volunteer students also get involved in this collection, bearing the organisation’s "trademark yellow collection boxes and enthusiastic smiles", regardless of the weather. SHARE always aims to have at least 100 collectors on the streets at any one time. While collection only occurs at Christmas, members of the SHARE Executive visit any resident of the housing schemes that desires visitation, on a regular basis. Although they are not obliged to continue to do this on a permanent basis (as the executive is changed each school year), many develop a strong bond of friendship and keep in touch for years after.