Westmeath Examiner, 24th November 2007

For thousands of people around the country the GOAL Mile is as much a part of Christmas as mince pies and turkey stuffing. Having started 26 years ago in the Phoenix Park, the GOAL Mile had become an annual event, with the 55 different miles run in 2006 raising over EUR300,000 for GOAL'S projects in the developing world.

In this the 30th anniversary year, GOAL wants to make sure that no matter where you are, there's a GOAL Mile near you. To do this GOAL needs the help of enthusiastic people who want to help set up a GOAL Mile where they live. Everything needed to stage a GOAL Mile will be provided so it really couldn't be easier.

GOAL's chief executive John O'Shea said: "We were absolutely delighted with the public's support for the GOAL Mile last year. But we believe there are many towns and villages where people would like to get involved but up to now haven't yet had a Mile organised locally. We'd be delighted to hear from anyone who would volunteer and stage one. And of course we'll assist them in any way we can.

"Not only does the Christmas Mile give people an opportunity to help us but it's also a chance to work off some of the seasonal excesses," he said.

Since it was founded by John O'Shea 30 years ago, GOAL has spent EUR400m on its humanitarian programmes. As part of its policy to ensure monies donated go the world's poor, GOAL aims to keep its administrative costs as low as possible. GOAL currently employs close to 130 GOALies in 11 developing countries across Africa, Asia and South America They include doctors, nurses, engineers, project managers, accountants and administrative personnel.

Anyone interested in organising a Christmas Mile can email Karen O'Shea at koshea@goal.ie. Alternatively, you can contact GOAL at PO Box 19, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin. Tel: (01) 2809779 Fax: 01) 2809215.