Kildare people encouraged to quit being ‘phonezombies’ for charity next month

By Kim O’Leary

As the Halloween celebrations get underway today, for many people this fun-filled day can feel like it’s over too soon, but next month the fun can continue with Kildare people being encouraged to sign up for a killer fundraiser this Halloween!

Ireland's ‘phombies’ are being given an opportunity to be cured from their habitual zombie-like state if they take part in Concern’s Fast 2017 next month.

Phone-zombies, or phombies, are people who stare at their mobile phone while walking and are completely oblivious of other people and their surroundings. They can be regularly spotted ‘phombie-walking’ in every town and city across Ireland and beyond.

This Halloween, humanitarian aid agency Concern Worldwide is calling on eerie phombies and other obsessive creatures to kick their habit by registering for Concern Fast, which takes place for 24-hours on Thursday, November 23.

The thriller fundraiser, one of Ireland’s longest running and most popular charity events, raises vital funds for children dying from hunger in countries around the world.

This year, Concern is encouraging mobile phone addicts to spend a day without being distracted by their device when walking and is also encouraging social media users to not post anything online for a day.

Concern Worldwide Marketing Executive, Christina Meehan, said: “Concern Fast is a rewarding opportunity to challenge yourself for a very deserving cause. We think it can also be a fun way to detox on modern habits that many people have, like looking at our phone when walking to a shop or to catch a bus. I think it’s important to stay present.”

The Fast campaign raises funds that help provide high-energy therapeutic food for malnourished, while a €30 donation can provide emergency nutrition support to a malnourished child for one month while €300 can provide a family with enough food to eat for six months.

Concern reached 22 million people in 27 countries in 2016, largely because of the funds it received from the Irish public, including donations from Fast.

Ms Meehan added: “We cannot thank the Irish public enough for their on-going support for Concern and all of our dedicated volunteers who do street collections and other fundraising activities.”

People can sign up for Concern Fast 2017 and find more information at Concern.net/fast or by calling 1850 50 50 55.

TEN Concern Fast ideas for what to give up for 24-hours on Thursday November 23

1. Phombie-walking - Stop being a ‘phombie’ looking at your phone while walking.
2. Coffee Blackout – Have a no-coffee day.
3. No-Butts – If you smoke, try being smoke-free for 24-hours.
4. Digital-detox - Try not using any digital technology.
5. No social post - A day without posting on social media.
6. Landline only – Try going back in time and not using your mobile phone to make a call.
7. TV Free  – A day without watching any television.
8. Like, Eh – Give up vocalised pauses, which are the fillers used in sentences, such as “um”, “ah” and “like”.
9. Game Over – Zap video gaming for 24 hours.
10. Silence Please – Try a day without talking.