Media statement, 15th September 2006

An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and rugby international and Lions player Gordon D’Arcy have joined forces to launch GOAL’s Jersey Day which takes place on Friday 29th September.
 
GOAL’s annual Jersey Day gives staff of companies, and students in schools and colleges the opportunity to wear their favourite sports team jersey to work or school instead of wearing their usual suits or uniforms. At the same time, they can raise funds to help GOAL alleviate the plight of the poorest of the poor in the developing world.
 
As the sports enthusiasts’ charity, GOAL has long been associated with sports. With the backing of sports personalities like Gordon D’Arcy, Niall Quinn, Sean Og O’hAilpin and DJ Carey, to name a few, GOAL Jersey Day is always a winner.
 
“These are competitive and committed individuals who put their sportsmanship to the best possible use by taking on inequality in the developing world, and scoring against poverty,” GOAL’s John O’Shea explained. “They’ve made GOAL Jersey Day a huge success over the last four years.”
 
The event is great fun for everyone, and it’s very simple to organise - all you have to do is wear your jersey on the day and give a small donation to GOAL.
Last year over 370 schools and thousands of companies across the counties signed up for GOAL Jersey Day and raised over €350,000 for GOAL’s work in the developing world.
 
Funds raised at this year’s Jersey Day will go towards programmes like those in Sudan’s Darfur region where the lives of 2.5 million people hang in the balance. Here GOAL have established 11 health care clinics which support approximately 200,000 people, and we continue to distribute emergency food and shelter.
 
If you would like to participate, register online at www.goaljerseyday.com or contact GOAL directly at 01 2809779.  You will be sent an information pack which includes posters, collection boxes and further information.