Dubs urged to run a mile for GOAL

IT’S an event that has become synonymous with Christmas, and especially for Dubliners who want to build up an appetite for the festivities ahead.

People all over the capital are being urged to run a mile for GOAL this Christmas, and help raise as much money and awareness as possible for the aid agency’s work in the developing world.

The GOAL Mile is held in villages, towns and cities all over Ireland and is one of the country’s biggest and longest-running annual fundraising events. The concept is simple: people run or walk a mile and donate whatever they can afford to GOAL on the day.

Thanks to GOAL Mile organisers and participants, millions have been raised to support GOAL’s work in the developing world since the first mile was held in 1982.

“Being a member of one of our team has given me an even greater understanding of the impact our aid programmes are having on the people we support in the developing world,

? explains Courtenay Pollard, from Cabinteely, who has been with the aid agency for several years.

Barbara Flynn, from Blackrock, adds:

“I would encourage everyone in Dublin to take part in a GOAL Mile this year, and donate whatever they can afford. Every cent makes a difference.

?

Dublin GOAL Miles will take place at the following locations:

?¢ Skerries Rugby Club, January 1 from 12.30-2.30pm

?¢ Irishtown Stadium, December 25 from 10am-midday

?¢ Rathcoole Park, December 26 from 10am-1pm

?¢ Malahide Castle, main car park, rear entrance (TBC)

?¢ Corkagh Park car park, Clondalkin at main car park, December 26 from 11am-midday

?¢ Cloverhill Prison, December 18 from 11am-midday

?¢ Eamonn Ceannt Park, Sundrive Road, December 25 from 10.30am-midday

?¢ Lucan Harriers Athletic Club, December 25, from 10am-midday

?¢ St Anne’s Park, Raheny (St Paul’s entrance), December 25 from 11am

?¢ Morton Stadium, Santry, December 24 from 10.30am-midday

?¢ Wildgeese GAA Club, Oldtown on December 26 from midday

?¢ Porterstown Park on December 26 from 11am-1pm

?¢ Kilboggat Park, Killiney/Ballybrack, December 25 from 10am-midday

?¢ Pope’s Cross, Phoenix Park, December 25 from 10am-midday

?¢ Blackrock RFC, Stradbrook, December 26 from 11am-1pm

?¢ Tallaght Athletic Club, Greenhills Road, December 25 from 9.30am-midday.

Another 89 GOAL Miles will take place throughout the country over Christmas, plus a further four overseas, in London, New York, Dubai and Melbourne.

GOAL has also established a new GOAL Mile page on their website that includes a global map of locations and a celebrity Mile leaderboard, where runners can compare their best Mile times against some of Ireland’s top sporting stars, including Eamon Coghlan and Alan Brogan.

The aid agency is hoping this year’s Miles will help highlight their emergency response programme in the Philippines, where they are delivering food and shelter to tens of thousands of people who lost their homes and possessions in last month’s typhoon.

If you would like to organise your own GOAL Mile event, email Cathy at fundraising@goal.ie, or phone 01-2809779. To take part in a GOAL Mile near you, visit www.goal.ie.