Strong community spirit amid the devastation of Storm Babet

Aine Ronayne, Trish Dunford, Rose Fitzgerald, Joanne Keohane, and Lorraine O'Connor of Mothers & Others GAA supply refreshments to those involved in the clean-up in Midleton, Co Cork. Picture: David Keane

Groups and businesses in Co Cork are showing remarkable community spirit by providing support for those impacted by Storm Babet.

The Midleton Hub, in particular, has become a centre point for those experiencing hardship.

Located on Bailick Rd in Midleton, the building of the registered charity experienced damage due to the flooding but was able to reopen after clearing the premises on Thursday.

“We were able to get the building cleared, thankfully,” Eileen Kelly McCarthy, a member of the management team, told the Irish Examiner. “We decided to open our doors as a central point, as we are taking donations of cleaning products or anything like that,” she said.

The Hub distributes donations to those in need and directs volunteers to homes or businesses that require assistance.

“People are just contacting us if they need help or if they are in a position to offer help. We are directing them to those areas.

“People are devastated, and our doors are open and we are here to offer whatever help we can give,” she said.

Anyone who wishes to make a donation or to volunteer to help can contact Ms Kelly McCarthy at 085 846 7959.

Cats and dogs

The owner of Glenbradagh Farm, Carmel Cronin, has offered to house cats and dogs free of charge for the next two weeks.

Glenbradagh Farm is 10 minutes outside Midleton and
provides warm kennels and catteries for furry companions.

“I just saw the devastation as people don’t have their houses,” said Ms Cronin.

“We are happy to do anything that we can do.”

The business has been open since May this year and Ms
Cronin understands the struggles that businesses and homeowners are going through at the moment.

“The phone has been ringing off the hook already as people are definitely in need,” she said.

“We are only a new business. We’ve been open since May and we understand the struggles of new businesses, and it’s absolutely devastating,” she said.

Contact Ms Cronin on 085 119 3727 for more information.

Cleaning up at Lollipop Kids on Main St in Midleton after the flooding. Picture: Dan Linehan

Community spirit

Fine Gael TD for East Cork David Stanton said community spirit is Midleton is ‘alive and well’ in these turbulent times.

“What’s come out of Midleton is the community spirit. Young people are coming out and asking what they can do to help, as are various teams from local clubs,” he said.

“It’s good to see that happening, that the community spirit is alive and well.”

Aaron Burke of Midleton IT in the Market Green Shopping Centre lives close to the retail park and decided to go to his kiosk and scope the situation.

“I just work out of a kiosk and right next to me is a seating area and I saw that there’s a lot of people sitting around, and I saw a mother with her three kids and she wasn’t sure if she would be able to get home,” he said.

He told the mother that she could sleep in the kiosk if she needed to but thankfully, she managed to get home.

Mr Burke set up various charging stations on his kiosk to allow people to charge their devices.

“I have the multichargers and I said ‘look, what’s the point? I’ll take them out of the packaging and let people charge their phones because they might not have power yet in their homes’,” he said.

Acts of kindness

Sabrina Lyons runs the East Cork Acts of Kindness Facebook page and decided to arrange a drop-off point for people to donate at Midleton GAA today from 11am to 1pm.

“People kept messaging me, asking if they could help, or that they needed help,” she said. “I was trying to put people in touch with each other and I was afraid that I was missing people who needed support so I said I would throw something together to try and help people.”

Ms Lyons urged those in a position to donate to separate clothes into ages, sizes, and if they are for boys or girls.

Other sought-after items include small kitchen appliances and household items such as curtains, cushions, and
bedding.

Donations must be able to fit into a car and be in good
condition. Donations must be made between 11am and 1pm.

Anyone wishing to volunteer can contact Ms Lyons on 083 012 4315.

Grocery collections

The owner of Crestfield Cabs, Stephen Kelly, has offered to help the elderly collect prescriptions and groceries in the Glanmire catchment area.

“We are looking to help the elderly who don’t have anyone to take them out, whether it’s a break from the house or if they want any groceries picked up and brought to them or collect prescriptions from the chemist,” he said.

Mr Kelly’s act of kindness started yesterday morning.

“I’m starting at 3.30am on Saturday and finishing at 1pm.

“I will do it on Monday or Tuesday as well, no bother,” said Mr Kelly.