Kilkenny hurler Eoin Cody to go the 'extra mile' this Christmas

AIB, proud partner of the GOAL Mile, has teamed up with Kilkenny hurling captain Eoin Cody along with former Tyrone footballer, Seán Cavanagh, Paralympian, Greta Streimikyte, Irish chef and bestselling author, Trisha Lewis and TV presenters Katja Mia and Judy Gilroy, to encourage communities in Kilkenny and all over the island of Ireland to 'Step Up Together' and take part in the GOAL Mile this Christmas.

Since 1982, the GOAL Mile has seen tens of thousands of people run or walk a mile (just 2,000 steps) to raise funds for GOAL over Christmas. The GOAL Mile raises funds to support GOAL's work with vulnerable communities in 13 countries across Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, and Europe.

Once again this year, communities in Kilkenny and across the country are encouraged to take part in the Christmas tradition of the GOAL Mile with their friends and families, with a special emphasis on GAA Clubs to host their own GOAL Mile as they have done in previous years, demonstrating the incredible spirit of togetherness in clubs the length and breadth of the county and country.

People can get involved in a number of different ways, such as taking part in one of the 150+ GOAL Mile events being organised in Ireland and internationally or simply by registering with GOAL at www.goalmile.org and completing a mile in any place, at any time during the month of December.  

Speaking about the initiative, GOAL CEO, Siobhan Walsh, said: "By coming together in their communities and taking just 2,000 steps people can do their part to help others around the world.  This year, it is estimated that 364.6 million people around the world are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance and facing extreme challenges. Therefore, we appeal to people across Ireland to 'Step Up Together’ to enable us in our efforts to improve the lives of those affected by conflict and crises."

AIB CEO, Colin Hunt, added: "The floods and fires we witnessed around the world this year have reminded us once again that tackling climate change is the major challenge facing our generation. We’re delighted to support GOAL and the GOAL Mile again this year, as it’s one of Ireland’s largest humanitarian response agencies, working with global communities deeply impacted by climate change, poverty, hunger, and conflict. Taking part in the GOAL Mile this Christmas will help to provide support to those most vulnerable to the effects of climate change."