MAYO COVID HEROES NO. 9: Jan Jordaan and Michael Keane, Castlebar

A year like no other has seen the demand on Castlebar Social Services take considerable strain, in particular its meals on wheels service.

Two former gardaí decided to chop off their beards in September in order to raise funds for Castlebar Social Services, a valuable community group in the county town who Michael, the chairman of Castlebar Men's Shed, has been actively involved with the past year.

“I was in An Garda Síochána where I was doing a lot of work not just in law and order, but with people who were down and out and in need of help,” said Michael.

“I do work with Castlebar Social Services on a Friday and Saturday morning with Meals on Wheels, which I have doing for a year and a half now and it's something I thought that could use a real help.”