By Edaein OConnell
26th Mar 2020
26th Mar 2020
Sick of the negative coronavirus news? Here are seven positive stories that show not everything in the world is bad
On this wonderful Thursday, we want to keep your day brimming with positivity.
At a time where negativity consumes us, it has never been more vital to look for the good.
Which is why we are taking a look at seven coronavirus stories that will place a smile on your face for the rest of the day.
People in Ireland have made over 20,000 donations to Covid-19 GoFundMe campaigns
Over the past seven days, one in every two GoFundMe campaigns in Ireland has been related to Covid-19. More than 20,000 of these campaigns have been set up and have raised an astonishing €677,000. The campaigns range from support of charity events that were cancelled, to funds to buy medical supplies or meals for the vulnerable in local communities.
Cian O’Flaherty, campaign organiser of the hugely successful Feed The Heroes campaign said: “We have been blown away by the depth of public support for our campaign, it’s an honour to be in charge of an incredible voluntary team with a critical mission in this difficult time. The frontline are incredibly grateful for public generosity and will make sure that these funds are put to good use and have an impact.”
Laughter Lounge to stream live for Daffodil Day
Unfortunately, due to the coronavirus outbreak, the annual Irish Cancer Society Daffodil Day had to be postponed on Friday. However, like all of us, they have adapted and are live streaming a social distance-friendly comedy fundraiser instead called Laugh-odil Day. Featuring Laughter Lounge favourites: Giz A Laugh’s Enya Martin, Danny O’Brien, and Gar Murran, the show will stream live this Friday on Facebook and YouTube at 8.30 pm. The stream costs only €5 and all of the proceeds will go towards the Irish Cancer Society.
Find full details here.
ISPCC/Childline and RTÉ 2FM team up with Ireland’s top artists to present a two-week-long live music event
Child abuse and neglect do not stop in a pandemic and to support the services these children need the ISPCC/Childline has teamed up with RTÉ 2FM and Ireland’s top musical artists to present a two-week-long live music event. Acts such as Hozier, Dermot Kennedy, and Picture This will live stream through their Instagram accounts for 30 minutes each evening at 7 pm. These performances will also be broadcast on 2FM. Hozier will kick-off proceedings this Friday.
The full week one line up is as follows:
FRI 27th MARCH – HOZIER – @hozier
SAT 28 MARCH – DANNY O’REILLY – @dannythecoronas
SUN 29 MARCH – WILD YOUTH – @bandwildyouth
MON 30 MARCH – KODALINE – @kodaline
TUES 1 APRIL – DERMOT KENNEDY – @dermotkennedy
WED 2 APRIL – PICTURE THIS – @bandpicturethis
THURS 3 APRIL – GAVIN JAMES – @gavinjameslive
To donate €4, text CHILDHOOD to 50300.
An Post to check in with elderly
The men and women of An Post will be going the extra mile over the next few weeks by lending a helping hand to the elderly and vulnerable during the crisis. Workers will be offering to get messages from the shops, helping them get needed medical supplies and there are plans to deliver newspapers to every household in the country. Staff will also be taking letters, cards and parcels from those who are afraid to travel to a post office.
Acts of generosity
As an Irish business owner, I am willing to fly 2 doctors home to #ireland from anywhere abroad, and house them in Dublin for the next 12 weeks. Who’s with me? (please retweet) DM me if you know someone interested. Thank you #irelandvscovid #coronavirus pic.twitter.com/4sgMPs3e7j
— Neil O. Sands (@neilosands) March 25, 2020
People are incredible and the lengths they will go in times of need are astonishing. Neil O. Sands is just one of those individuals. The businessman has offered to fly two doctors home to Ireland from anywhere in the world and house them in Dublin for 12 weeks to help fight the virus.
Is someone cutting onions near me? I need a tissue.
Aer Lingus to fly to China to bring home life-saving equipment
Aer Lingus pilots have volunteered to fly to China at least 60 times in the coming weeks to retrieve life-saving equipment. The story broke in the Irish Mirror yesterday with an Aer Lingus source saying: “Dozens of Aer Lingus pilots put their hand up to volunteer to make sure these essential supplies make it here. The seats will be absolutely packed with medical equipment such as ventilators, masks, goggles, testing kits and more. The pilots won’t even be able to get off the aircraft or else they’ll be put into quarantine.”
The Chinese government has also offered its support to Aer Lingus.
The Embassy has already working on their visas, waiving visa fee as a small gesture of friendship.
We also do our best to help Aer Lingus to get slots at very busy airports in Beijing. Hundreds charter flights applications there now. https://twitter.com/newschambers/status/1242814082874572800
— Chinese Embassy in Ireland (@ChinaEmbIreland) March 25, 2020
Cadbury donate €40,000 to Barnados
The Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt in aid of Barnados takes place each Easter in Merrion Square, however, due to current events it has been cancelled. To mitigate against any loss or disruption to Barnados, Cadbury has donated €40,000 to the charity. Cadbury is encouraging anyone who planned to purchase a ticket to the event to make a donation to Barnados instead.
Read more: Tired of your Instagram feed? These 7 accounts will instantly bring you joy
Read more: What it’s like to have your wedding cancelled due to coronavirus
Read more: There are some brilliant new additions coming to Netflix in April
Related Stories
Also Read
