Guinness has announced the establishment of a €1.5 million fund to provide support to communities affected by COVID-19 in Ireland.
The fund will see €1.2 million go to support bar staff, alongside a further €300,000 to elderly vulnerable people through a partnership with ALONE, and its Befriending service, the drinks giant said.
“We have been supporting the licensed trade in the last week through what is an unprecedented period as we all work together to keep people safe through the closure of licensed premises across the country,” said Oliver Loomes, country director of Diageo Ireland.
Show Solidarity
Donall O'Keeffe, CEO, Licensed Vintners Association highlighted that these are unprecedented times and it’s important that we pull together and show solidarity among the bar community,"
"In addition the funding for services for older people is much needed and builds on the partnership that we already have in place with ALONE and Guinness addressing isolation among our elderly community”.
Social Isolation
“Guinness have been supporting us for over three years in a bid to address social isolation, but it’s now that we need this most," said Sean Moynihan, CEO of ALONE.
"This support will help us to continue to provide vital services to older people who need additional support and are experiencing increased social isolation at this time."
Since the outbreak of COVID-19 ALONE has been receiving a huge volume of phone calls to its helpline from older people all over Ireland and delivering support seven days a week to those who need it.
Moynihan said that the news of an additional €300,000 from Guinness is going to make a significant impact.
"It will enable us to continue to deliver and expand these much-needed services,” he added.
© 2020 Checkout – your source for the latest Irish retail news. Article by Donna Ahern. Click sign-up to subscribe to Checkout.
