Alan Brogan, Rachel Allen, Richie Power, Yomiko Cheng, and Maria Mc Cambridge at the launch of the GOAL Mile 2014. The celebrities carried buckets of water around the running track to highlight the plight of people in developing countries who walk miles to fetch water for their families.

Goal miles in meath for christmas and new year

Published: Mon 22 Dec 2014, 1:48 PM

Last updated: Mon 22 Dec 2014, 1:51 PM

Meath GOAL Mile organisers have been busy making calls, sending emails and issuing general reminders to people throughout the county over the past week, urging them to get out and run, jog or walk the popular annual event this Christmas, and raise as much money as possible for GOAL’s programmes for the poor.

This year’s Meath GOAL Miles will take place in on Christmas Day at Athboy (outside Darnley Lodge Hotel) at 10.15am, Kiltale GAA Club, Kiltale at 11am, Gael Colmcille GAA Grounds, Grangegodden, Athboy Road, Kells at 11am, Baconstown GAA Pitch, Enfield at 11 am and St Colmcille GAA Grounds, Bettystown at 11am. On St Stephen’s Day Kilbride GAA at 11 am and on New year’s Day St Patricks GAA Grounds, Stamullen at midday.

“Over the past 33 years, the GOAL Mile has grown to become a staple of Christmas for thousands of Irish families,” said GOAL CEO, Barry Andrews.

“Apart from being a gentle prompt for everyone to watch the pounds over the festive period, it much more importantly helps to remind us all that there are people in other parts of the world who are short of food and water, who don’t have a roof over their heads, or who have lost family members to disease, war or drought.

“If you have never taken part in a GOAL Mile before, I would encourage you to visit the GOAL website, find out where a Mile is taking place near you and get out over Christmas and support GOAL’s work.”

More than 140 GOAL Miles will take place throughout Ireland this year, with an excess of 30,000 people taking part.

Some of Ireland’s current and former sporting stars, such as Alan Brogan, and Richie Power along with GOAL patron Rachel Allen have teamed up this year to boost participation, and introduce the event to an even wider audience.

For further information, and a full list of all GOAL Miles, please visit the GOAL website at www.goalglobal.org.