by Alan Jacques
HUNDREDS of Limerick people put their walking shoes on this Christmas to help raise money for GOAL’s programmes for the poor.
One of the oldest GOAL Mile fund-raising events took place in Limerick on Christmas Day at the University of Limerick Athletics Track. Similar events took place in Ballybrown Community Resource Centre and Crecora GAA Pitch with people coming out to walk, jog and run for this fantastic cause.
Organiser Gus Aherne commented, “I have visited some of the countries where GOAL is located and witnessed the work the aid agency does. I felt like I had to do something to contribute and do my bit, so I started the GOAL Mile.”
“The UL GOAL mile is part of the Christmas tradition in Limerick. We have families who came to the first Mile and are still coming all these years later. We always hold the Mile, even when we had the big freeze and people were skating around the track,” he said.
The Limerick Mile has been running for 10 years and organisers hopes the charity event will continue for many more. More than 140 GOAL Miles took place throughout Ireland this year, with over 30,000 people taking part.
