The Tánaiste Simon Harris presented the Sanctuary Runners with the ‘Community Organisation of the Year’ award at the annual Irish Red Cross Humanitarian awards held at the Royal College of Physicians in Dublin.
The Sanctuary Runners, founded in 2018 in Cork, uses running, jogging and walking to bring everyone in the community together including those who have moved to Ireland from other countries – and especially those seeking asylum and refugees.
Now with over 40 groups across Ireland, Sanctuary Runners has welcomed some 35,000 people to its events over the last seven years helping to build bridges across Ireland between those in the host communities and new arrivals.
In October it will host its second Global Solidarity Run, supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Ireland Funds – its aim being to enable people to run, jog, walk or roll any distance on October 11th in solidarity with all those who are forcibly displaced and those living in extreme poverty. It’s aim is to get people taking part in at least 100-countries worldwide.
And next Month will see the launch of Sanctuary Runners GB, a sister-organisation in Brighton.
Sanctuary Runners Ireland recently welcomed President Michael D Higgins as its patron and continues to establish new groups across the country.
Accepting the award on behalf of the Sanctuary Runners were its founder, and Head of International Development, Graham Clifford, Sanctuary Runners Monica Pumpkin and Mjabulelwa Ngcobo and Sanctuary Runners Director Padraic Moran.
Its CEO Michael Darragh Macauley said: “We’re so delighted and humbled to receive this award from the Irish Red Cross on a night when so many amazing humanitarians and fantastic organisations were highlighted for the great impact they make in society. The work our groups and volunteers do week-in week-out has such a positive impact on lives and communities. I want to thank all those who take part in our events across Ireland and especially our organisers who are driven by our values of solidarity, friendship and respect with all. Initiatives which vibrantly and proudly promote community integration are needed now more than ever.”
To find out more about Sanctuary Runners please visit SanctuaryRunners.ie