Mayo goes the distance for record-breaking GOAL Mile as county raises €16,000

GOAL is delighted to announce that the thousands of people who took part in the GOAL Mile 2025 across Ireland and overseas helped raise a record €800,000 for the aid agency’s lifesaving humanitarian programmes around the world.

Of that total figure, €16,000 was raised at GOAL Mile events across Co. Mayo, including at Ballinrobe, Castlebar and Westport.

Proudly backed once again by AIB, the GOAL Mile is the Dublin-based agency’s flagship fundraiser, which has grown from humble beginnings in the early 1980s into a much-loved annual event. The 2025 edition was held at over 200 locations across the Republic and Northern Ireland, as well as in the United States and Africa, over the Christmas season and into the New Year.

All funds raised will go towards GOAL’s ongoing efforts in delivering life-saving aid to some of the world’s most fragile communities including those in Gaza, Sudan, Ethiopia, Syria and beyond. For over four decades, GOAL has worked to provide food, shelter, water and sanitation in these crisis-hit regions, and events such as the GOAL Mile play a vital role in sustaining this mission.

Speaking about the success of GOAL Mile 2025, Jennifer Farrelly, GOAL CEO, said: “Every year at GOAL, we are proud to deliver an amazing festive event in the form of the GOAL Mile, and 2025 was certainly no different. Thanks to you, the GOAL Mile organisers and participants who stepped up in Co. Mayo and beyond, we were able to raise a record fundraising total of €800,000.

“We are also extremely grateful for our partners at AIB, back for their fifth year as GOAL Mile sponsors, who once again helped us bring the initiative into communities across Ireland.Having experienced the GOAL Mile in my own locality, I was taken by the camaraderie and community spirit that was on display, and the colour that was added by all of the lovely festive outfits that people wore for the occasion.

“At every GOAL Mile location, people give up their own time to help GOAL raise funds for millions of others caught up in climate and conflict emergencies. On behalf of all my colleagues at GOAL, we say a massive thank you.

“Finally, a special mention to GOAL’s roster of sports ambassadors and campaign champions, including Bernard Jackman, Sonia O’Sullivan, Eamonn Coghlan and Padraig Harrington, who helped spread the GOAL Mile message despite the many demands on their time during the busy festive period.”

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