Without marathon funds, Teach Fáilte ‘would close’

A cheque for €30,000, the proceeds from the Mullingar Half Marathon 2024, was officially handed over to TEAM, providers of emergency temporary accommodation for women and children in the midlands, at a ceremony in the town last week.

Chairperson of TEAM, Robert McGivney , said it was “a basic fact” that without the funds, they would not be able to stay open.

They have provided emergency accommodation for hundreds of women and children over the last 10 years and the demand is constant. “A room will only be vacant for hours, possibly days, as there is always a need,” Mr McGivney said.

TEAM are funded by the HSE and Westmeath County Council, but there is always a shortfall and without the funds from the half marathon for the last few years, “it’s a basic fact, we just would not be open”, Mr McGivney stated.

He stressed that every donation made to TEAM goes to the women and children. “We pride ourselves that none of the board members, including myself, take one cent, so literally, a cup of tea here is the only benefit we get out of all of that,” he stated.

TEAM are based in Mullingar and they serve four counties; Mr McGivney said that every day, they are looking not only for money, but for support. He said people have been helping by providing courses or days out for the women and children. “All we provide for them is a bedroom, possibly an en suite, and a kitchen area, so it can be quite confining, and all of those things [supports] are really appreciated,” he said.

Mary Kennedy, project manager at Teach Fáilte, works “on the ground Monday to Friday with the residents”. When a resident moves in, the team go through holistic needs with them – where they have come from and where they want to go from there.

“The length of the stay various, but, unfortunately, due to the current climate, they tend to be with us a lot longer now,” Ms Kennedy said.

She said they try to look after all the needs of the residents and are lucky with the community they have. “We have lots of wonderful supporters, without whom we wouldn’t be able to function… our doors would close… and that’s one of the reasons that this fundraising event is so important for the survival of Teach Fáilte. To all those people who give their time and energy to TEAM and what it stands for on the ground, a heartfelt thank you,” she said.

Terry Toal previously worked for AON, who have been the main sponsors of the Mullingar Half Marathon for the last decade. He said that AON have had an office in the town for 20 years, and the half marathon sponsorship is one of their major contributions to social responsibility, and they are loyal to it, he said.

Deputy Robert Troy, who first came up with the idea of a half marathon. “We got a committee together at that time to organise it and it’s really gone from strength to strength,” he said. It has been held every year, except for the Covid years, and “we have raised significant money for a worthwhile local charity,” he said. Deputy Troy said he was delighted to still be part of it.

Ken Whitelaw, race director for the Mullingar Half Marathon, said TEAM provide a massive service, not just to the people of Mullingar or the county, but the region. “They provide a hugely important and needed service and we’re delighted to partner with them again,” he said.

TEAM “run off a tight budget and they’re hugely grateful for the money that the event has raised, not just this year, but every year over the last nine years,” Mr Whitelaw remarked.

He said TEAM appreciated not only the work done by the committee, but the people who ran the half marathon and those who lined the route, “helping and facilitating the running of the event every year with pride and pleasure”.

“They go out there on the roads and footpaths and cheer on the people,” he said

Mr Whitelaw said the half marathon has been recognised now as a friendly and fast but fun event that’s greatly supported by the participants and by the people of Mullingar.

This year, it attracted people from all of the 32 counties in Ireland and many from overseas, he said. “It put Mullingar on the map and brought a great buzz and vibe to the town – lots of people stayed the night before and stayed on for the St Patrick’s Day parade. It was a great event for the town, all round.”