A NEW group that enables Irish people to run in solidarity with those in Direct Provision has been launched in Dublin.
Led by volunteers, the Dublin Sanctuary Runners run each week with asylum seekers residing in the Clondalkin and Hatch Hall Centres.
Earlier this year the solidarity-inspired initiative brought together 200 runners, spanning 40 different nationalities for last June’s Cork City Marathon.
The Dublin Sanctuary Runners have since been participating in the Corkagh Park 5km parkrun in Clondalkin on each Saturday for the last six weeks but on Saturday, November 24, the group was officially launched in the capital.
There are two Direct Provision centres in Dublin; the Clondalkin Towers centre with 231 residents and the Hatch Hall centre in Dublin 2 with 220 residents (figures correct as of July 29).
“After the success of the marathon in Cork we decided it was important to set up similar groups across the country,” explained Graham Clifford, writer, broadcaster and founder of the Sanctuary Runners movement. “We’ve been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from those in Dublin and already have 80 Irish runners signed up to run with us here when they can.”
On Saturday in Corkagh Park a group of 40 Sanctuary Runners, including many from the Clondalkin Towers centre, ran and walked together in solidarity.
The group also aim to enable people in the Hatch Hall Direct Provision to participate and will be taking part in various parkruns across Dublin in the months to come. They will also reach out to former residents of Direct Provision centres now living in Dublin.
“The Sanctuary Runners aim to break down the barriers which exist between those in the Direct Provision system and those outside the gates,” Graham added. “This is to allow Irish people show solidarity, friendship, kindness and respect to those awaiting a decision on their immigration status.
“Also, it promotes activities that benefit both mental and physical health and for people in Direct Provision. The collaboration with the parkruns network has been wonderful. We are non-political and focussed on humanitarianism and showing fellow human beings the same dignity and support as we would hope to be shown were we ever in the same situation in another country.
The Sanctuary Runners have also launched local running groups in Cork and Limerick with plans to expand to Galway and Waterford.
