Register for your local GOAL Mile in Mayo this Christmas
The GOAL Mile will see over 25,000 people running or walking a mile in 150 locations in villages, towns and cities across Ireland this Christmas to raise funds for some of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable communities in Africa, the Middle East and Latin America.
This year in Co. Mayo, five GOAL Miles will be taking place in the following locations:
Belleek Woods, Ballina, Christmas Day, 11 a.m. to 12.30 p.m.
Louisburgh GAA pitch, St. Stephen's Day, 10 a.m.
Lough Lannagh car park, Castlebar, Christmas Day, 11.30 a.m.
Mayo Gaels GAA, Mayo Abbey, St. Stephen's Day, 12 p.m.
Ballinrobe, St. Stephen's Day, 11.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m.
Speaking about her participation in the GOAL Mile, Anne Cassin, RTÉ Nationwide presenter, said: “The GOAL Mile is a beloved Christmas tradition for thousands of families across Ireland, including my own. Our family of five runs the Tallaght GOAL Mile every year and after that we jump into the Forty Foot and then head home for turkey.
“Last year, GOAL reached 14.6 million people with their humanitarian programmes which centre on providing healthcare, nutrition, livelihood support, and safe water and sanitation facilities to some of the world’s most disadvantaged communities. So, I hope lots of other families will go the extra mile this Christmas and sign up for their local GOAL Mile in aid of GOAL’s life-saving work around the world.”
Also launching the GOAL Mile 2023 campaign, Eamon Sharkey, director, fundraising and communications, GOAL, said: “During 2023, we have witnessed a deadly mix of crises because of conflict and natural disaster across the world and GOAL has responded to all these crises, helping communities affected move from crisis to resilience. We are now asking people across Ireland to register for their local GOAL Mile and make whatever contribution they can so that we can continue this life-saving work.”
Marion Mattimoe has been organising the Belleek Woods, Ballina, GOAL Mile for over 20 years.
Said Marion: “The significance of the GOAL Mile Ballina is the people. We’ve had some people coming every year for the past 20 years. People come because they are so thankful for the lives they have and they want to help others.”
In 2021, Marion won Inspirational Hero of the Year in the Gala Retail and Virgin Media Inspiration Awards for her charity work, and she has raised more than €61,000 for GOAL over the years.
To register and take part in a GOAL Mile near you this Christmas, please visit https://www.goalmile.org.