On your marks! The traditional Goal Mile returns to the city and county
The GOAL Mile will celebrate its 40th anniversary this year, with some 25,000 participants running a mile to raise funds for the poorest and most vulnerable communities across the world.
Four Goal Miles will be taking place this year in the county - Dangan, Merlin Woods, Spiddal and Abbeyknockmoy.
This popular annual event has attracted thousands of people to run or walk a mile in villages, towns, and cities across Ireland and around the world to raise funds for GOAL humanitarian programmes.
GOAL CEO Siobhán Walsh says the GOAL Mile is a "fantastic way to bring people together during the holidays and have some fun while supporting Irish-born humanitarian aid agency".
"Last year GOAL provided aid to 18.5 million of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable adults and children across GOAL’s 14 countries of operation.”
For the past four decades, these events have enabled GOAL to assist communities that need it most, she says.
All funds raised this year will be channelled into GOAL programmes in Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, and now Ukraine, responding to the needs of people fleeing war. The programmes concentrate on providing healthcare, nutrition, livelihood support, and safe water and sanitation facilities.
Irish running legend and GOAL Ambassador Eamonn Coghlan says the Irish have never been found wanting when it comes to supporting those most in need.
"We are renowned for our generosity. I think everyone should dust off their running shoes and step out in force this Christmas and do their bit for the greater GOAL.”
GOAL Miles are run throughout Ireland on Christmas and Stephen’s Day, with more than 160 locations confirmed and more to be organised. To register and take part in a GOAL Mile this Christmas, visit https://www.goalmile.org.
Galway locations
The Dangan Running Track, NUIG Campus, Christmas Day, 10am to 12pm.
Community Garden, Merlin Woods, Deochuisce Village, Galway City East, Christmas Day, 11am.
Spiddal (meeting outside Texaco ), Bahoona East, Christmas Day, 12pm.
Abbeyknockmoy Community Centre, Chapelfield, Tuam, St Stephen's Day, 11am to 1pm.
-Ends-
For further information and/or to organise an interview with local organisers, please contact
Molly Kavanagh
083-0479355 or [email protected]
Notes to Editor
GOAL
Deeply moved by the plight of street children he encountered on a trip to Kolkata (Calcutta ), John O’Shea founded GOAL in 1977, and for over 40 years, GOAL has responded to almost all of the world’s major humanitarian crises since, working with vulnerable communities in more than 60 countries.
While GOAL continues to be an agile first responder to humanitarian crises, it is also committed to working with vulnerable communities to help them survive crises and support them on the road to recovery and resilience.
GOAL’s purpose is to save lives and empower communities to develop resilience and greater control over their lives and livelihoods. GOAL aims to increase the resilient wellbeing of the world’s poorest people and focuses on those who are excluded or marginalised, particularly those who are vulnerable due to socio-economic status, gender or age.
