President Higgins 'delighted' to become patron of Sanctuary Runners 

President Higgins and representatives from Sanctuary Runners at Áras an Uachtaráin on Wednesday.

President Michael D Higgins has become a patron of the solidarity-through-sport initiative Sactuary Runners.

Speaking at Áras an Uachtaráin, President Higgins said he was "delighted" to have become a patron of the initiative, which he said "fosters friendship and respect for migrants, asylum seekers, and refugees while bringing greater awareness of the migration system".

"Through their regular events throughout the country, Sanctuary Runners celebrate our diversity and help to strengthen the bonds of friendship and shared experience between us all," he said.

Sanctuary Runners was established in January 2018 to enable Irish residents to run alongside, and in solidarity with, people living in Ireland’s Direct Provision system.

A non-political organisation focused on community integration, it now has more than 40 groups across the country and plans to build more, both at home and abroad. 

More than 30,000 people have taken part in Sanctuary Runner activity over the past seven years.

Representatives from the group, including its CEO, eight-time All-Ireland winner Michael Darragh Macauley, its founder, and head of international development, Graham Clifford, and a number runners living in Direct Provision, met with President Higgins to officially give him his patronage on Wednesday afternoon.

“Whenever we have asked for President Higgins’ support he’s been there for us," Mr Clifford said. 

"He understands to his core why we do what we do. 

"He has always been a passionate advocate for community integration and social cohesion and he feels the same joy as we do when people come together in solidarity regardless of their nationality, ethnicity, legal status, religion, age, gender or sexual orientation."

Also included in the Sanctuary Runners’ group to meet with President Higgins today were runners originally from Zimbabwe, Ghana, India, and Nigeria.

“I feel so happy that President Higgins is now our patron. I, and all my fellow Sanctuary Runners who have come to Ireland from other countries, feel so joyous today," said runner Patience Dube.

"President Higgins is one of us, he epitomises the warm heart of Ireland and we cherish his solidarity.” 

Mr Macauley said President Higgins' patronage would give "a massive lift to those involved across Ireland and beyond".

“This act of solidarity by President Higgins will mean so much to all those who have run in a Sanctuary Runners' top over the years — especially those seeking safety and connection," he said. 

"President Higgins's empathy, understanding, and advocacy on behalf of those who can often be marginalised and overlooked is one of the main hallmarks of his presidency — and we are so proud today to welcome him with open arms as our patron."