Laois pensioner to take on Concern Fast for African children

Lifetime Laois humanitarian volunteer Alice Culliton is once again taking part in the Concern Christmas Fast this November.

Mountmellick woman Alice Culliton has spent nearly 50 years volunteering with Concern.

In her younger days the retired teacher had volunteered in Africa with Concern for some 20 years.

Now aged 78, she is continuing her tradition of taking on the 24 hour fast from all foods, on Friday, 28 November.

Alice will be manning her table personally for the annual Concern Fast and Collection Day at SuperValu, Mountmellick on the day. 

On the same day, Concern Worldwide collectors will be out and about in Portlaoise, taking donations for the fast.

Alice is asking the communities of both Portlaoise and Mountmellick to support her effort to help Concern Worldwide tackle extreme poverty.

“The kindness of the Irish people never fails to inspire me,” she said. “Even a small act, like fasting for 24 hours, can help save the life of a child,” she said.

Dominic Crowley is the CEO of Concern Worldwide.

“The past year has been filled with devastating headlines — from war zones to stories of millions of people being displaced. Yet Concern continues to work wherever there is poverty, injustice or inequality, we take action together as a global community,” he said. 

In 2024, Concern responded to 50 emergencies in 22 countries, reaching over 6.8 million people in need. 

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This year’s Concern Fast is raising vital funds for families in the Central African Republic (CAR), where children are battling severe malnutrition after years of conflict and climate-related crises. With support from Concern, children are receiving fortified porridge that helps saves lives — a simple but powerful intervention that gives children the strength and nourishment to recover and thrive.

If you miss the collection, you can still donate to Alice's fundraiser here.