To help celebrate October 1st UN International Day of Older Persons, Age Action is calling on the nation to stop what they are doing at 11am on that day and share a golden moment with an older person over a cup of tea.

Writer Maeve Binchy launched the campaign with a hot cuppa and spoke of positive ageing: "I support the Share a Golden Moment like I support everything positive! We are getting older so why not try to enjoy it and help others to do so?"

“This campaign is special. It is calling on the nation on a specific day at a specific hour, to connect with an older person to let them know that you care,” Age Action’s Head of Advocacy and Communications Eamon Timmins said.

“October 1st falls during Positive Ageing Week and so we are calling on businesses to help promote the spirit of the day by purchasing boxes of tea bags from Age Action and distribute them amongst their customers and staff during Positive Ageing Week. Age Action is also encouraging communities to have their own tea party at 11am on October 1st to mark the day,” Eamon Timmins said.

The older people’s charity is also seeking to recruit volunteers to sell the tea packs on the street on October 1st.

To order a box of tea bags for your workplace or for a tea party, or to volunteer your support to sell them on the street call Dee Clare at (01) 475 6989 or log onto www.ageaction.ie.

FOR MEDIA QUERIES CONTACT EAMON TIMMINS, HEAD OF ADVOCACY AND COMMUNICATIONS, AGE ACTION, AT 087-9682449