Today, Sanctuary Runners unveils a new festive campaign accompanied by the reworking of a Christmas classic as you’ve never heard it before. The ‘Step Up for Solidarity – 12Ks of Christmas Campaign’, invites people to get active in December and in doing so support their appeal. Rewriting the christmas classic ‘12 days of Christmas’ to
Today, Sanctuary Runners unveils a new festive campaign accompanied by the reworking of a Christmas classic as you’ve never heard it before.
The ‘Step Up for Solidarity – 12Ks of Christmas Campaign’, invites people to get active in December and in doing so support their appeal.
Rewriting the christmas classic ‘12 days of Christmas’ to include lyrics such as ‘seven joggers jogging’ and ‘12 waves of welcome’, the song will be performed by two Sanctuary Runners and accompanied by an online feed of daily videos featuring running groups from across the country between December 9th and 20th.
All funds raised will be used to support Sanctuary Runner groups across Ireland and enable the multi-award-winning charity to create new groups .
Each year, Sanctuary Runners bring thousands of people together — including locals, international protection applicants, refugees and other migrants — to run, walk, paddle, swim side-by-side. With 40 Sanctuary Runner groups nationwide, the organisation works to build bridges between communities through friendship, respect and shared experiences.
The Christmas campaign encourages participants to engage in any sort of physical activity such as walking, running or swimming 1km a day for 12-days — or simply make a donation or a gift of a donation to support Sanctuary Runners’ work.
Speaking about the appeal, Sanctuary Runners CEO, Anna Pringle, said:
“Sanctuary Runners groups do incredible work across Ireland to bring people together in solidarity, friendship and respect regardless of nationality or legal status. We know that so many people want to find ways to support initiatives that build bridges in the community. Most of us want decent and cohesive communities where everyone, including migrants, asylum seekers and refugees, is included and valued but often people are not sure how to support. So we’re asking people to help us to help their communities by supporting our 12Ks of Christmas Appeal. The funds will be used to remove barriers to participation for many, especially those living in direct provision. To help us provide running tops, running gear, and transport for those who can’t afford them.”
Donations ensure that no one is ever excluded due to cost, allowing for people to come together in their communities, meet their neighbours, and build friendships.
As part of this year’s campaign, Sanctuary Runners has created a unique and fun singing project that will unfold across the 12 days. Each day from December 9th to 20th, the organisation will share a small snippet on its social media channels.
Recorded at Blackwater Studios in North Cork it’s performed by Sanctuary Runner crooners Ayodeji Ogunjimi and Maeve O’Callaghan who are both members of the Fermoy Sanctuary Runners group.
How to Take Part
From today, members of the public can:
All options are available via the campaign link:
https://eventmaster.ie/fundraising/campaign/step-up-for-solidarity-join-us-for-the-12ks-of-christmas
With demand for inclusive community initiatives increasing nationwide, Sanctuary Runners’ work has never been more important.
“Every euro raised helps us bring people together who might otherwise never meet socially. It helps us offer warmth, welcome and dignity. This Christmas, we’re asking everyone to Step Up for Solidarity — not just for yourself, but for your whole community”, said Anna Pringle, CEO of Sanctuary Runners.
