Roscommon Herald, 13th November 2007

THE ELEVENTH annual 10k sponsored walk in aid of GOAL takes place at Ballintubber, on St Stephen's Day. The proceeds from this year's walk will go towards GOAL'S programmes in the Developing World The 10K walk has become part and parcel of Christmas for the people of Ballintubber and surrounding areas. This year the organisers are pushing hard to make it a record, both in terms of the numbers taking part and the amount of money raised. Last year's walk raised over EUR47,000 in assisting GOAL'S humanitarian work, specifically in Sudan, and a crowd of over 300 people took part.

Apart from the obvious advantage of raising badly needed funds for GOAL'S humanitarian work, many people find that the 10k walk an enjoyable and worthwhile way of walking off the excesses of the previous day's festivities.

The walk, which begins at 12.30 p.m. at the church car park, Ballintubber, will be led through the village of Ballintubber by the Castlerea Brass & Reed Band. The event is being organised once again by the Ballintubber GOAL Walk Committee who have been organising fundraising events for GOAL for a dozen years or more, "This year marks a special year for the Ballintubber GOAL Walk as it marks our eleventh annual St.Stephen's Day Walk," said the Chairperson, John Boyle. "This is a real community effort and I want to thank everyone especially Benny O'Connell, of Benny's Restaurant, Michael Guthrie of Finola Foods, Dun Carraig Mineral Water and Gilmartin's Cash & Carry, Castlerea, the Castlerea Brass & Reed Band and the local media for there generous coverage and support, and of course all the people who are planning on participating, the sponsors and the great array of voluntary helpers, all of whom contribute to the ongoing success of the event. In excess of EUR222,000 has been raised over the years for GOAL through the Ballintubber GOAL Walk and hopefully the funds raised this year will bring it over the quarter of a million mark."

The walk will take participants from Ballintubber, across 10km of the surrounding countryside. The starting line will be St, Briae's Church car park and this year the walk will pass through Enfield, Carane, Killerr, Ashpark, Rathcarren and Ballyfinnegan before returning to Ballintubber, As in previous years Kenny's public house, Ballintubber will be the scene of the post walk gathering at which there will be a raffle for prizes for participants who return their sponsorship cards on the day, including a weekend away for two at an Irish hotel. After the Walk, Benny O'Connell, of Benny's Deli, Castlerea, will be dispensing nourishing food and good cheer to all participants.

Extending his thanks for the effort being put by the organisers of this year's event, Ronan Scully of GOAL said that the Ballinlubber walk was a very worthwhile event, "not only because of the money it raises, but also because it gives participants a chance to show their solidarity with the poorest people on earth.

"Perhaps this is why the GOAL Miles, the Ballintubber walk and other events which take place around Christmas are so popular, Most people like to take time out from the festivities and celebrations to remember the less fortunate people in the world and many take part in one of the GOAL events to show they care."

Anyone wishing to take part in the walk or help in any other way is asked to phone Ronan Scully GOAL West of Ireland Office, Galway at (091) 587901 or (087) 6189094. Sponsorship cards are available from Lennon's Shop, Ballintubber; Stephen Treacy, Castlerea; Imelda Devaney (086) 3746761; Mary Keegan (087) 7613187; Martin Casey (087) 6995807; Carmel Shanagher (086) 8634531; Tom Goodwin (086) 3777956 or John Boyle (087) 6388116

Remember too that you can make a donation directly to GOAL by sending a cheque or postal order to GOAL, PO Box 19, Dun Laoghaire, County Dublin or, if you wish to donate by credit card you can phone (01) 2809779 or the GOAL West of Ireland office at (091) 587901.