‘Bucket Listers’ are getting inked to raise funds for ALONE
This Sunday, 9th September, five Bucket Listers will get inked in The Ink Factory’s Wellington Quay studio in an effort to raise vital funds for ALONE.
ALONE, the charity that supports older people to age at home, has teamed up with Dublin tattoo company, The Ink Factory, to create the Bucket Listers project. The event will be open to the public after 1pm and everyone is invited to meet the Bucket Listers.
CEO of ALONE, Sean Moynihan said, “We’re encouraging everyone to get involved with this campaign, whether it’s sharing the videos of each Bucket Lister, or sponsoring a tattoo either online at everydayhero.ie or at The Ink Factory on Sunday. The project helps to fight ageism and has given the participants the opportunity to express themselves creatively with their choice of tattoo.”
For the past four weeks, ALONE and The Ink Factory have released videos introducing each Bucket Lister, and their motivations for getting inked. Reliant on fundraising, ALONE support older people through Befriending, Support Coordination, Housing with Support, and any other supports that they may need.
This campaign aims to support ALONE’s work with vital funding. The Ink Factory is calling on the public to support the Bucket Listers project and help to raise €10,000, with 100% of donations going directly to ALONE’s services. Online donations to support the project can be made through https://give.everydayhero.com/ie/the-bucket-list-project.
Michael McCarthy, aged 68, who is one of the Bucket Listers, said, “I’ve been with ALONE for the last 12 months. They’ve been very good to me over the year. When I signed up with them, I was losing my own home. It’s very important as you get older to have friends, and that’s what I like about ALONE.”
Dolores Waller, aged 65, and Lily Barnacle, aged 74, both involved in the ALONE Ladies Choir in Dundalk, are getting similar tattoos to honour loved ones. Lily, has been widowed twice and cares for her son, who suffers from a number of health conditions. Following an introduction, ALONE assisted Lily with applications for a Housing Application Grant and the Housing Aid for Older People Grant. For the first time in years, Lily can now look forward to a warm, dry winter.
Tom McArdle, aged 66, found himself facing homelessness and reached out to ALONE for help. He became an ALONE tenant in September 2015.
Rita Ashe, aged 65, faced difficulty in 2014 when she couldn’t afford to rent privately on her own. A tenant of ALONE Walk for over three years, Rita can now enjoy permanent, secure tenancy.
Tom Lynch, owner of The Ink Factory, said, “We value inclusivity as a major part of who The Ink Factory is and are proud to help people of all ages and walks of life to express themselves in their own way. Teaming up with ALONE to launch the Bucket Listers project to raise funds and defy perceptions towards older people is an exciting partnership. We hope people will get involved, whether that’s donating to the cause or sharing the Bucket Listers message.”
To view the Bucket Listers videos and donate, please visit http://alone.ie/the-bucket-list-project/
For those who have concerns about their own wellbeing, or the wellbeing of a vulnerable older person in the community, ALONE can be contacted on (01) 679 1032 or at www.alone.ie. The charity, which depends on donations from the public, has staff and volunteers ready to act on calls and requests for assistance.
