Irish sporting community unites in tsunami fund-raising goal
In what has been designated GOAL Sport Aid Weekend, sporting organisations across the country are being asked to support the efforts of international humanitarian relief organisation GOAL to alleviate suffering in the stricken areas of South East Asia.
John O'Shea, GOAL CEO, said yesterday: "We are asking that a collection be taken up at all sporting venues by participants and spectators alike next weekend. People can use their own initiative to think of ways of raising funds.
"The Irish sporting community has always shown itself to have a strong moral conscience and, in the wake of this unprecedented disaster, we are asking for an unprecedented response."
The call has received the full backing of Ireland's major sporting bodies with GAA president Sean Kelly, confirming yesterday: "We enthusiastically support this idea. Anything that can in some way help to alleviate the horrendous suffering of these people has to be given backing and we would encourage all our members to help in whatever way they can next weekend."
His views were echoed by IRFU chief executive Philip Browne, who confirmed that the union "will be encouraging its members to wholeheartedly support the 'GOAL Sport Aid Weekend.'"
GOAL, which was formed in 1977, is acknowledged as the sportspersons' charity and has been supported across the years by leading Irish personalities such as Padraig Harrington, Sonia O'Sullivan, DJ Carey and Brian Kerr.
Mr O'Shea is asking that proceeds raised be sent to GOAL, PO Box 19, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin "or phone us on 01 2809779."
A bucket collection was organised by the Munster Branch of the IRFU at the Munster v Leinster Celtic League game last Saturday night to help alleviate suffering caused by the tsunami disaster.
The collection raised €15,000 and the total sum to be given to the Red Cross is expected to top €20,000 once money from the match programmes, pledged prior to kick-off by the Munster Branch, has been added to the bucket collection.
