Students Harness Aid for the Relief of the Elderly
Students Harness Aid for Relief of Elderly (formerly Schoolboys Harness Aid for Relief of Elderly) or SHARE, is a charitable organisation based in Cork, Ireland, dedicated to providing housing and other support for the elderly poor. An article in the regional Southern Star newspaper reputedly stated that SHARE had "brought help and hope, homes and happiness to the lonely old people who have been forgotten by society". The organisation was founded in 1970 by Brother Jerome Kelly and students of Presentation Brothers College, Cork, to deal with the social issues of the time. Other schools in Cork later joined, until representatives from 18 secondary schools were involved with the charity. Since its founding, over 200 custom-built homes have been provided by the organisation. Work by the members of SHARE is year-round, but its most active period is the Christmas Fast and Fundraising Campaign, when over 1800 students have been involved in collecting in Cork city centre. The charity's sole collection period lasts only ten days, which has made it a recognisable part of the Cork Christmas season. It has received recognition from the media, from Irish political figures, and the people of Cork; but it is the involvement of students