Sanctuary Runners, a solidarity-through-sport initiative, will coordinate a ‘Run For Gaza’ on Saturday, November 25, across Ireland and the world.
The aim of the run is to show solidarity with the displaced people of Gaza and those currently held hostage in the territory as well as raising funds for the humanitarian relief effort.
Graham Clifford, CEO and Founder of the Sanctuary Runners said many people feel helpless as the horrific scenes of death and destruction in Gaza play out on our television screens.
“We have Palestinian friends and members in Sanctuary Runners and we want to show our solidarity with them and all impacted,” he stated.
Participants are being asked to run, jog or walk any distance, anywhere, at any time on Saturday and post a message or image of support to social media using the hashtag #RunForGaza.
File image from the Sanctuary Run 2022 in Dublin.
Runners are being urged to donate to the Irish Red Cross Appeal for the Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza.
“Sanctuary Runners groups across the country will take part together, as well as other groups, clubs and organisations keen to show solidarity with the people of Gaza,” the event outlines.
Mr Clifford stressed that the group are “very conscious” of the huge number of people displaced in Gaza, many of whom are likely to become international refugees having already been refugees within their own territory.
He added that homes, hospitals and vital services in Gaza have all been destroyed.
“Sanctuary Runners was established to show solidarity, friendship and respect to, and with, people fleeing war, conflict, poverty and climate change – this run, while a small gesture, will allow people the opportunity to display that solidarity one step at a time,” Mr Clifford remarked.
Sanctuary Runners is inviting any groups, organisations or sporting bodies that wish to participate in the Run For Gaza to contact graham@sanctuaryrunners.ie to include their logo on their wall of partners for this event.
For more information on the ‘Run For Gaza’ just visit Sanctuaryrunners.ie