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18th Jun 2020

Niall Horan credits his granny as inspiration behind generous nursing home donation

Sarah Finnan

Niall Horan

Making a very generous donation to the HSE, Niall Horan specified that the money was to be used to provide tablets for use by older people and staff in long term residential care.

Niall Horan has charmed the nation over the past few months of lockdown, thanks in part to his regular performances on live stream. Busy keeping the public entertained while at home, it’s his charitable donations that have really helped him to win hearts – especially after it was revealed that his granny was the motivating factor behind his support of the elderly.

Making a very generous donation of €100,000 to the HSE, Niall specified that the money was to be used to provide tablets to older residents in nursing homes, saying that he was inspired to do so by his cousins who sent him a photo of them talking on the phone to their granny outside the window – later teaching her how to use FaceTime. Seeing the positive impact that it had on his own granny, Niall added that he wanted to make sure other people could have the same experience. Speaking of the donation, he commented:

“So many elderly people are feeling vulnerable and isolated now more than ever. Thousands of families have needed to be pulled apart, including my own.

Not only does this initiative bring them back together, face to face in the short term, but it’s also a positive development for the future too. Thank you to the HSE for getting this off the ground. I’m very proud to work with them on it.”

According to Paul Reid, CEO of the HSE, Niall’s generous offer is special as it is something that can be used long after we “emerge from Covid-19”.

With nursing homes having been closed to visitors since mid-March, residents have not been able to see family for several months. Noting the importance of social connection and its effects on a person’s social, emotional and physical well-being, the new tablets will help patients to keep in touch with friends and family – even if they can’t see them face to face.

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