Calls for people in Cork to support GOAL Mile this Christmas

Thu, 25 Dec, 2025 - 10:00

Rachel Lysaght

Cork Olympian, Sonia O’Sullivan, has called on members of the public to support their local GOAL Mile this Christmas.

The GOAL Mile is an annual fundraising event that is held throughout December and New Year's Day in villages, towns and cities across Ireland, raising funds for the charity which responds to worldwide humanitarian crises across 60 countries.

Last year, more than 40,000 people took part in the Goal Mile across 20 locations in Ireland, with organisers hoping to increase on this figure with this year’s event.

Launching this year’s call for participants, Ms O’Sullivan, who is a 5,000m silver Olympic medalist, joined up with GOAL Mile representatives recently at her iconic statue in Cobh to encourage people to "lace up” this festive season.

“It is a privilege to be able to join in with GOAL Mile enthusiasts young and old and it is particularly special to do so in my hometown of Cobh, next to the statue that bears my name,” said Ms O’Sullivan.

“I encourage everyone across Cork to do something special this Christmas and lace up for one of the nine GOAL Miles in the county, in support of GOAL’s life-saving work around the world.”

Nafisa Brennan, senior fundraising manager with GOAL said as an organisation that is “steeped in the Irish sports world, we are always so grateful to sports ambassadors and supporters for helping us spread the word of our many fundraising activities”.

“In that spirit, we are very thankful Sonia O’Sullivan, a genuine legend of Irish sport, coming out in her hometown and encouraging people across Cork to join the thousands lacing up for GOAL Mile this year,” said Ms Brennan.

“With over 200 locations to choose from, everyone has a local GOAL Mile.”

Some of the GOAL Mile events taking place across Cork this year include: