Derry contributes to GOAL Mile 2024 record of £621,450 in fundraising efforts

GOAL has announce that the thousands who participated in GOAL Mile 2024 across Ireland and overseas helped to raise over £621,450 for the aid agency’s lifesaving humanitarian work around the globe, of which £4,074 was raised at GOAL Miles across Co. Derry.

GOAL is an Irish humanitarian agency with a proud history over the last 48 years of delivering life-saving aid and development programmes in some of the world’s most de-stabilised countries and to some of the world's most vulnerable communities.

GOAL Mile is the agency’s flagship fundraiser, which is supported by AIB and led by local organisers in over 200 locations in every county across the north and south of Ireland and in the US and Africa, during the 2024 Christmas season and extending into New Year.

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Today, GOAL continues to work in these countries delivering food, shelter and water and other programmes relating to nutrition, protection, sanitation and hygiene.

GOAL delivers these programmes in countries like Sudan, Ethiopia, Chad, Syria, Lebanon, Gaza, and Haiti where conflict is so prevalent and where the suffering and humanitarian crises and needs are so immense and prolonged.

Speaking about the success of GOAL Mile 2024, Siobhan Walsh, GOAL CEO said: “GOAL Miles have been running across Ireland every Christmas since 1982 but the 2024 GOAL Mile was a truly exceptional one for so many reasons, and not only because we broke our fundraising record.

“We benefitted greatly from the kind support of campaign champions including Olympic Athlete, Ciara Mageean; Bernard Jackman, International Rugby Commentator and Analyst; and the entire Shamrock Rovers, Men’s First Team."

She continued: "Their well-known voices and faces raised our GOAL Mile voice. They encouraged even more people to find their local GOAL Mile and head out to connect with family and friends, enjoy a unique experience, support GOAL and stand in solidarity with the millions caught in conflict and climate emergencies."

Siobhan concluded: "But most of all, we send thanks to the wonderful 200+ GOAL Mile organisers across the country for their time, and commitment in organising their Mile so expertly. They are the essence of this hugely successful campaign."