Remembering the forgotten - Make that call

WE sometimes shamelessly exploit the sentimentality of the Irish diaspora — a certificate of Irishness anyone? — but maybe we are not as enthusiastic about extending a meaningful helping hand to the Irish citizens in difficulty in far away and not so faraway places, especially at a time of celebration like Christmas.

Television host Dermot O’Leary — Sean Dermot Fintan Michael Gerard O’Leary Jr to give him his full handle — has appealed for people to help the London Irish centre Christmas appeal for the vulnerable members of the London/Irish community.

Many of us are familiar with the sad, heartrending stories of people falling between two stools.

Some are almost forgotten in Ireland but remain a half-settled, always-on-the-fringe stranger in their new home even after decades of working in that society.

They can suffer a terrible and usually unnecessary sense of loss and isolation.

The digital age has brought many problems but one of its real benefits is ease of communication.

Make that call you’ve put off for months, maybe years. Human contact is, after all, the greatest salve.