Saturday saw the launch of the Donegal Sanctuary Runners in Letterkenny with participants taking part in the local parkrun event.
With almost 60 families seeking international protection living in apartments on the Port Road in Letterkenny the numbers wearing the blue of the Sanctuary Runners on Saturday were high – and included many locals who’d come out to show their support and help form what is the organisation’s 29th group in Ireland.
CEO and Founder of the Sanctuary Runners, Graham Clifford, spoke to all those taking part in the parkrun ahead of the 5km run, jog and walk and said the establishment of the new group was timely when we see what is happening in Ukraine.
He said: “Sometimes it is so hard to witness man’s inhumanity to his fellow man, whether that’s in Syria, Afghanistan, Ukraine or elsewhere. The world can seem very dark. But the only way to defeat darkness is with light. Let us be those beacons of light expressing kindness, solidarity and care to all in our communities on a daily basis.”
The Letterkenny Sanctuary Runners are now looking for new members and everyone is welcome to join – and you don’t have to be a runner to get involved.
The establishment of the new group in the North West was made possible thanks to funding from the Bank Of Ireland’s ‘Begin Together’ Fund facilitated by the Community Foundation for Ireland.
If you’re interested please drop us an email to info@sanctuaryrunners.ie