'Empathy is what drives us' says support charity braced for lockdown calls

Friendly Call Cork volunteers are expected to make more than 350 phone calls on Christmas Day throughout the county

Friendly Call Cork said hundreds of trained volunteers on 50808, the free, anonymous, 24/7 text support service will be available around the clock over Christmas and the New Year to listen. Picture: Pexels

"We will acknowledge, listen and empathise throughout Christmas – we want to help you through this."

That's the message from one Cork-based community group primed and ready to field hundreds of calls on Christmas Day and beyond from those feeling alone and isolated.