Former Dublin GAA star helps launch Sanctuary Runners in Mullingar
Michael Darragh MacAuley, CEO of Sanctuary Runners, was present for the launch of the Mullingar group, which tied in with the weekly parkrun, on Saturday morning.
The former Dublin GAA star and eight-time All-Ireland winner is leading the "solidarity through sport movement" are expanding across the country, and internationally, with a focus on community integration.
Macauley has experience working in Dublin’s north inner city with marginalised communities. He helped create the NEIC Trojans basketball team, who welcome young people of all different cultural backgrounds.
Sanctuary Runners, "the friendliest running group in the midlands", welcome everyone on Saturday mornings to run, jog, or walk, while forging friendships and getting involved with the local community.
Focusing on solidarity, friendship and respect with all in the community including, and especially, people seeking International Protection, refugees and other migrants, Sanctuary Runners have been getting together at runs and events since 2018 and have grown to more than 40 groups across Ireland including three in the midlands in Athlone, Moate and Tullamore.
"We were delighted to launch our fourth midlands group on Saturday, in Mullingar, which also happens to be Sanctuary Runners’ seventh birthday," said community development manager, Annemarie Sheehan.
"We know that Sanctuary Runners is a vital beacon of welcome and source of connection for those who come to make Ireland their home. We have seen over the years how running or walking shoulder to shoulder on one team can be such an important tool for community integration, for welcoming people who might be isolated or worried – and also for building stronger communities."
Focusing on solidarity over charity, the Sanctuary Runners is a not-for-profit movement and was named the ‘best initiative to use sport to promote inclusion’ at the 2022 Irish Sports Industry Awards.
It has also been celebrated at the United Nations for its unique model of doing things with, rather than for people living in Direct Provision.
Sanctuary Runners is open to everyone in the community from all nationalities and all abilities. For more information on how to get involved in any of the midlands groups, email annemarie@sanctuaryrunners.ie.