Take a snap and text PAP!
James and Margaret Kavanagh launch Bank of Ireland Positive Ageing Week
- Bank of Ireland will match the first 25,000 donations pledging up to €50K to support older people
- ‘Back to the Future’ theme – social media masterclasses around the country
Social media superstar James Kavanagh and his mum Margaret today launched the 15th Bank of Ireland Positive Ageing Week which runs until Sunday 1st October. The theme is ‘Back to the Future’ and with over 250 Bank of Ireland Positive Ageing Week events taking place across the country participants can look forward to everything from veteran’s fencing, quizzes and a tea dance to Tai Chi and social media masterclasses.
Age Action and Bank of Ireland are asking people to have some fun with older friends and relatives by getting creative and sending a joint a ‘Positive Ageing Photo’ on their social media channels and use #PAPped. They can support older people in Ireland by texting PAP to 50300 to donate €2*.Text costs €2 and Age Action will receive a minimum of €1.63 from each donation. Bank of Ireland has pledged to match each €2 text donation for the first 25,000 donations which will go towards Age Action’s Care and Repair programme.
James Kavanagh said: “My family, including my parents, are particularly active on social media. For me, it’s about empowering my parent’s generation to become active online and avail of the many opportunities that come from being connected.
“My Mum is a very youthful 65 year-old and has embraced technology; she is very active on Snapchat and Instagram and is great role model for older people. And that’s what Positive Ageing Week is about – we’re celebrating the older people in our communities who are role models for all of us, regardless of age.”
Some exciting headline events include public lectures by Professor Rose Anne Kenny of The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) and the Mercers Institute for Successful Ageing (MISA), and Nutritional Consultant Gaye Godkin.
Justin Moran, Head of Advocacy and Communications with Age Action, said; “Positive Ageing Week is about celebrating the older people in our lives and the huge contribution they make to our families and our communities.
“We want to banish the outdated stereotypes about older people in Ireland. They’re workers and business owners. They’re skypers and Facebookers. They play sports and run marathons. They look after their grandchildren and they share their wisdom with the next generation.
“We’re very proud to be teaming up again with Bank of Ireland to support the older people who are showing every day that they’re not letting their age hold them back.”
Dawn Bailey, Head of Seniors, Bank of Ireland said: “Bank of Ireland is delighted to be back on board supporting Positive Ageing Week 2017. There is a busy calendar of events from Cork to Donegal, with a Bank of Ireland branch in every county hosting a coffee morning.
“We will be going ‘back to the future’ as our team of digital arrows are hosting social media masterclasses for students and their grandparents and older relatives in primary schools across the country.
“At Bank of Ireland, we are committed to supporting our older customers. Age Action is one of our three flagship charities and we work very closely with them to empower the older generation. We encourage as many people as possible to sign-up for the free events taking place nationwide.”
*Service Provider: LIKECHARITY. Helpline 076 6805278