Three GOAL Miles for Westmeath

Almost as much of a tradition as turkey at this stage, the Goal Mile is now a fixed part of the Irish Christmas, and this year, there are three Goal Miles taking place in Westmeath.

From Mullingar to Multyfarnham, Westmeath community groups will be out in force to raise funds for GOAL. In 2017, GOAL Mile events organised in Westmeath raised more than €3,000  to raise funds and awareness for GOAL programmes across the developing world. 

On Christmas Day, there is a Goal Mile at the Mullingar Shamrocks GAA Grounds starting at 10.30am, organised by Brian Fagan.

Also scheduled for Christmas Day is the Multyfarnham Mile, organised by John Moran and starting at noon from the local park.

There is also a walk on St Stephen’s Day. It takes place at the Castledaly GAA grounds from noon, and the organiser there is Dermot Walshe.

To take part in your local GOAL mile, all you need to do is put on your walking or running shoes and show up! 

There is no need to register; just turn up and donate what you can to GOAL on the day. 

To find out about your local GOAL Mile, visit goalmile.org.

Alan Vard from GOAL said, “The GOAL Mile has become a tradition for many families and communities over the Christmas period, and thanks to organisers, millions have been raised to support GOAL’s work in the developing world since the first Mile was staged in 1982.

“The beauty of the GOAL Mile is its simplicity. People don’t need to register in advance but simply show up to their nearest event, run or walk a mile and contribute whatever they can afford to GOAL on the day.”

About the GOAL Mile

The GOAL Mile was established in 1982 when GOAL’s late chairperson and international athlete, Noel Carroll, came up with the idea to encourage people and their families to run a mile at The Phoenix Park on Christmas morning for GOAL.

More than 250 people turned up to that first event and from there, it has flourished to become one of the most popular and longstanding annual fundraising events in the country. 

Since that first mile in 1982, those organising, running or walking a GOAL Mile have helped raise millions of euro for GOAL’s various humanitarian programmes across the developing world.

Major mile events attract thousands of participants each year, while new GOAL Miles locations are added each year. 

Last year, Miles were held at more than 130 locations across the country. 

All funds raised from the 2018 GOAL Mile will go towards GOAL’s most pressing work in the developing world. 

The agency is currently responding to protracted and sudden onset emergencies in Syria, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Zimbabwe and several other locations.