GIVING TO OTHERS: Killarney Gardai have this week launched their ‘Christmas Together’ campaign. Pictured were: Superintendent Flor Murphy and Garda Brendan O’Donovan. Also included are: Inspector Paul Aherne, with Garda members Deirdre Quinn, Jim O'Mahony, Shane McCarthy and Darren Ronan. Photo: Michelle Crean

By Sean Moriarty

A Killarney Garda has launched a ‘Christmas Together’ campaign to acknowledge senior people in the community and the healthcare professionals who protect and care for them.

Garda Brendan O’Donovan’s idea is for locals to donate non-perishable goods or Christmas gifts that local Gardai will then redistribute to the residents of local care homes and community hospitals and to the staff who look after them.

“COVID-19 has affected everyone in our community no more so than those living and working in nursing homes and retirement accommodation. This is due to the ongoing health crisis, restricted visiting hours and the loss of friends and family,” Garda O’Donovan told the Killarney Advertiser.

“We are asking our local community to come to our assistance and to donate something to remind the nurses, carers, healthcare staff and senior members of the local community that we are all in this together.”

All donations can be dropped to Killarney Garda Station or collection can be arranged before December 14.

Donations will be sterilised and isolated for a number of days prior to being distributed.

Killarney Gardai have also involved local primary schools where pupils will make personalised Christmas cards to be sent to residents and staff of local care homes and community hospitals.