Mayo people urged to step up for GOAL Mile
The annual GOAL Mile takes place in Ballina and Castlebar on Christmas Day.
People in Ballina and Castlebar and the surrounding areas are urged to step up for communities facing crisis around the world this Christmas Day (Wednesday, December 25) for the annual GOAL Mile.
The event, supported by AIB, helps raise fund for GOAL’s lifesaving humanitarian across 15 countries in the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and Ukraine.
GOAL Miles this Christmas will be held at 160 locations in villages, towns and cities right across Ireland. Now in its 42th year, the event sees 50 thousand participants run, jog or walk a Mile and raise funds and awareness for Goal's programmes in the developing world. Last year €630,000 was raised in Ireland alone.
The Castlebar GOAL Mile event will start at 11.15am and finish at the Lough Lannagh Car Park, Westport Road, Castlebar around 12.15pm, the route taking in the scenic seeting of Lough Lannagh lake. The Cathaoirleach of the Castlebar Municipal Authority Donna Sheridan will officially open the event. The route will take in the scenic setting of the Lough Lannagh lake.
The Ballina GOAL Mile, in its 21st year, takes place again in Belleek Woods from 11am to 12.30pm.
Whether you're walking, running or simply showing your support, every step taken will raise vital funds for GOAL. This event is non-competitive and is open to families, walkers, joggers and runners of all ages, and is wheelchair and dog friendly. This Christmas your support and generosity will help those who are far from settled in their homeland throughout the world.
As Christmas approaches, temperatures have begun to plummet across the many countries who need our support. Constant conflict, war, hunger, climate change and disease has left millions of homes without electricity. Temperatures in some countries can fall as low as -20 degrees.
As the people of the most vulnerable communities look to the skies in fear of another attack or crisis they worry if they and their children will survive until the next day. Women and children have suffered the greatest heartbreak of the 25 million people who are affected in 15 countries this Christmas.
GOAL has also been on the ground in Israel since the war began. Help has also been provided in Turkey and Syria following the recent conflict, earthquakes and climate change. People can provide hope to tens of thousands of families left in darkness. Your help towards GOAL will provide emergency aid, hygiene kits, blankets, shelter, health care, food and generators and hope to the millions of refugees who are displaced across 15 countries.
GOAL is presently helping more than 25 million people in Ukraine, Africa ,the Middle East and Latin America. Your support has made this possible as GOAL continues their mission to help communities to respond to and recover from conflict, disease, climate change and the humanitarian crises worldwide.
GOAL volunteers are on the ground throughout the year but especially so at Christmas to help others who have far less than us. Donations will be accepted on the day towards the people in the third world who are less fortunate than us this Christmas and throughout the calendar year.
All funding raised on the day will help build and equip health centres, train local health staff, and deliver vaccination and malnutrition programmes. GOAL also trains local communities in health awareness and hygiene promotion.
You can visit the Castlebar GOAL Mile page on social media and donate on the fundraising page through iDonate. There will be a QR scan board also located at the Lough Lannagh Car Park on Christmas Day.
One of the country's most popular annual events, the Castlebar Goal Mile has become an integral part of Christmas for hundreds of families in the region and for people returning home for the festive season and the new year.
Local organiser of the Castlebar GOAL Mile Michael Brophy, said: “Any donation will make a life changing difference to so many children and their families. More now than ever, we need your support, to reach vulnerable communities and their people to build a better world for them going forward. GOALs work is only possible thanks to events like the Castlebar GOAL Mile and the generosity of people like you.” It is a Christmas tradition for thousands of families, especially in Ballina which attracts huge numbers from all around the area no matter what the weather. It is a great meeting place for many Ballina exiles who return home for Christmas to spend time with their families.
In 2023, Ballina was ranked 14th out of the 160 GOAL Mile locations in Ireland and raised almost €9,000 in the process, thanks to the hard work of the local committee.
All donations on the day or online are gratefully accepted. If you need more information or sponsorship cards for the Ballina GOAL Mile, please contact Catherine on 087-9736310 or Marion 086-3644073.
