- Solidarity-through-Sport movement asking all to help as they bid to reach the Áras in time for Christmas Eve!
- People asked to run, jog or walk next week and donate their Kilometers to help Sanctuary Runners on the 5,628Km mile journey
- The latest awareness campaign aiming to show how running can highlight solidarity, friendship and respect with all – especially asylum seekers and refugees
It’s that time of year again and Santa needs the help of the Sanctuary Runners!
This year Father Christmas needs to get a pair of very special running shoes to a very special man – President Michael D. Higgins.
He needs to zoom around every inch of Phoenix Park with Bród and Misneach for their annual inspection.
But its a race against the clock as Santa is so busy ensuring all the boys and girls across the globe get their gifts this Christmas. The poor man is up the walls!
And so he’s asked if the Sanctuary Runners can get the running shoes to the Áras in time. But not just that but also deliver a message of solidarity, friendship and respect.
To help us in our quest Santa has roped in none other than Ireland’s fastest woman Rhasidat Adeleke who will do her bit and put out the call for others to get out there new week and do their bit.
Rhasidat will pull together the ultimate relay team of Sanctuary Runners to make this special early delivery. She might also enlist some special guests along the way to boost the team.
Can we make it together? Yes we can, Believe in the Magic!
Ailís McSweeney, Ireland Lead Manager of the Sanctuary Runners, believes this mammoth quest can be successful. She said: “It’s not going to be easy but if we can get enough people running, jogging and walking with us we can do it. And with Rhasidat’s words of inspiration to drive us on we can make the magic happen. Already hundreds of people have signed up to run. Everyone is welcome no matter where in the world you live. We want to see schools, businesses, friends, clubs, companies, towns and villages all coming together to donate those kilometers.”
Very importantly people will be asked to take pictures and short videos as they clock up their kilometers to inspire others! To show solidarity with all those who call Ireland home. These will be shared on social media throughout the week and hopefully on Friday our youngest runners will enter the Phoneix Park and race up to the driveway of Áras an Uachtaráin to present the magical running shoes to President Higgins.
Sanctuary Runners from all across Ireland and the world will sign up to be part of the team and work together to cover the 5,628km distance from December 17th – 23rd. They showcase the wonderful Sanctuary Runner team who come together regardless of gender, nationality, race and creed to Run As One.
The story is told over email and social media, with video and image updates on our journey from all of Sanctuary Runners and their supporters. As we clock up the kilometers, the team will reflect on what a significant mission they have been set by Santa and Ireland’s Head of State, demonstrating the respect and solidarity of Ireland to those who live on our island – Irish citizens, refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants alike.
Sanctuary Runners is a not-for-profit movement which now has over 10,000 members across Ireland. Free to join we focus on solidarity and do not fundraise from the public.
To be part of our team sign up here and let’s get those running shoes to President Higgins, running together, as one in solidarity, friendship and respect.
To sign up for FREE go to Christmas Campaign 2022 (sibforms.com)