Dovida teams up with Lions Clubs Ireland to deliver ‘Message in a Bottle’ this Christmas

Ireland’s leading home care provider is sponsoring the Lions Clubs’ Message in a Bottle project, a simple, yet potentially life-saving concept operated by the charity in communities across the country. Dovida has contributed to the production of 50,000 bottles, making this the largest year yet for the initiative across Ireland. 

The bottles enable people to keep their essential personal and medical information in one place, allowing caregivers and emergency services personnel to quickly access crucial details in the event of an accident or health emergency at home.  

With nearly 100 Lions Clubs and 2,000 members across Ireland, the organisation lives by its guiding principle: ‘We Serve.’ Thanks to Dovida’s support, bottle distribution will more than double compared to last year. 

How it works

Recipients of a Message in a Bottle receive a plastic container, a personal information form, and two self-adhesive green crosses – one for the front door and one for the front of the fridge.  

After completing the form, it is placed back in the bottle together with a copy of the recipient’s medical prescription, which is easily obtained from their pharmacy. The bottle is then placed inside the fridge. In an emergency, first responders look for the green cross on the door, locate the bottle in the fridge, and access essential information quickly – potentially saving lives. 

Who benefits

• Older people and those living alone 
• People with chronic or life-threatening conditions 
• Individuals with disabilities 
• Paramedics, Gardaí, fire-fighters, hospital emergency departments, social services, and caregivers  

A tangible difference

Commenting on the initiative, Shane Jennings, CEO of Dovida Ireland, said:  

“As the festive season approaches, it’s essential to think of older people and those living alone. At Dovida, we’re committed to supporting initiatives that make a tangible difference in people’s lives. Sponsoring the Message in a Bottle this year ensures that more individuals have a safety net in place during emergencies. We’re very proud to work with an organisation as committed to service as Lions Clubs Ireland and to help keep our communities safer this winter.”  

Lions Clubs Ireland Message in a Bottle Project Lead, Damian Carberry, said: 

“Message in a Bottle is a simple yet critical time-saving device, enabling first responders to respond in an emergency situation quickly and appropriately. It gives back that valuable time needed to save lives.  

“Thanks to Dovida’s support, we can reach more people than ever before. Knowing that emergency services can access vital personal information quickly provides peace of mind for families and carers alike – especially over the Christmas period.” 

Messages in a Bottle are distributed by Lions Clubs Ireland for free to people in communities throughout the country. Anyone interested in securing a Message in a Bottle can contact their local Lions Club or visit the Message in a Bottle web page – messageinabottle.ie