South Dublin County Volunteer Centre and Age Action, the charity for older people, is urging the public to visit older people in their community to ensure they are adquately coping with the prolonged cold weather.  In particular, we are encouraging people to check in on older people living alone, those who may not have a family, and those living in remote areas.  We are concerned that people who are house-bound by the weather and have not had regular visitors may be running out of supplies of food, fuel or medication.  Even older people who are physically fit and can drive have been house-bound by the weather and are now dependent on visitors calling to their homes.

You do not have to be a member of an organisation to call on somebody -- you just have to be a good neighbour.

Please do not assume that somebody else in your area will visit -- they may be depending on your to do so.

With the bitterly cold weather due to continue for at least another week, we are in a race against the clock to reach those who may be running out of vital supplies.  This is a national crisis which can be resolved by people being good neighbours.