Twentieth anniversary of GOAL Mile in Mayo town this Christmas

It has been a year of special anniversaries for Ballina and on Christmas Day, the institution that is the GOAL Mile celebrates 20 years in the town.

This is one of the last events during Ballina 2023 – a year of festivities celebrating the 300th anniversary of the north Mayo capital.

The GOAL Mile, supported by AIB, is held throughout December in villages, towns and cities across Ireland, and virtually throughout the world. The event sees tens of thousands of people run or walk a mile to raise funds for GOAL.

It is a Christmas tradition for thousands of families, especially in Ballina where it attracts huge numbers from all around the area no matter the weather.

People return year after year to take part in the Ballina GOAL Mile in Belleek. It is a great meeting place for many exiles who return home for Christmas to spend time with their families.

In 2022, Ballina was ranked 16th out of the 140 GOAL mile locations in Ireland and raised almost €5,000 in the process thanks to the hard work of the local committee.

Funds raised support the work of GOAL, which is active in 14 different countries, helping people whose lives and livelihoods have been shattered by conflict, disease and climate change. This year your support can help the poorest of the poor in Africa, Middle East, Latin America, Ukraine and Gaza.

Why not come along to Belleek Woods this Christmas Day after Santa has visited to build up an appetite for the Christmas dinner? You can run, walk, crawl or just have a chat and enjoy beverages and sweet treats kindly donated by local businesses. Most of all, you’ll be part of something special.

All donations on the day or online are gratefully accepted. For more information or sponsorship cards, contact Catherine on (087) 9736310 or Marion on (086) 3644073.