‘Special day' as Irish running group connecting refugees with locals launches in Britain
Founded in Cork in 2018, Sanctuary Runners uses running, jogging and walking to bring together asylum seekers, refugees and other migrants with local residents to promote 'solidarity-through-sports'.
The brainchild of former Irish Post sports editor Graham Clifford, the initiative has experienced huge success since its foundation.
There are now 42 running groups in place across Ireland and its first UK launched in Brighton yesterday (June 18).
Mr Clifford, who is Sanctuary Runners' Head of International Development, will lead Sanctuary Runners GB until a wider team, based in Britain, is in place, he confirmed this week.
"Since our very earliest days in Cork we were determined to develop the Sanctuary Runners model internationally,' he said.
'Today is a very special day for us as we know how impactful Sanctuary Runners can be to bring communities together, to build bridges in society and to cut through all the misinformation and hate we see in the modern world,' he added.
'At the core of Sanctuary Runners GB will be a proud central belief that everyone, no matter their nationality, ethnicity, legal status, skin colour, age, gender or sexual orientation deserves to be treated with respect.
'In recent times when we have seen race rioting in different parts of the UK its clear initiatives such as this are needed here.
'We can't wait to roll up our sleeves to start building that wave of solidarity, friendship and respect across Britain as we have done in Ireland."
At last night's launch in Brighton, the film Solidarity in Motion, which was commissioned by London Marathon Events - a partner organisation of Sanctuary Runners GB, premiered at the Duke of York theatre.
It tells the story of the Brighton Sanctuary Runners Academy - a group of 50 people, made up of 15 different nationalities which included locals, refugees and asylum seekers, who all ran in the Brighton marathon on April 6.
Nick Bitel, Chief Executive of the London Marathon Group, helped launch Sanctuary Runners GB in Brighton last night.
The organisation plans to launch groups in East London, Merseyside, the North East of England, Coventry and Cardiff in the months ahead.
See More: Brighton, Launch, Sanctuary Runners, UK
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Daily Mirror
9 minutes ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Padraig Harrington admits he has NEVER paid a green fee in his life
Three-time major winner Padraig Harrington has said he has NEVER paid a green fee in his life despite playing thousands of rounds of golf. Harrington is the epitome of golfing royalty, winning three majors and was recently inducted into the Golf Hall of Fame. And known for his straight-talking demeanour, the Dubliner took part in a DP World Tour video about the last time he played a green fee. Harrington features alongside other legends, such as Colin Montgomerie and Paul McGinley, and he opens up about the last time he put his hand in his pocket. "I don't think I've ever paid a green fee," Harrington said. "Never paid a green fee. In Ireland, it is kind of an unwritten rule that once you get to a good standard, such as Junior International, you can go and play the clubs in your local area with other Juniors for free, so I've never paid a green fee." Ryder Cup-winning captain Paul McGinley was also unable to remember the last time he paid a green fee. "I am embarrassed to say I can't remember," he laughed. Even in the last years of college, I was on the Irish team, and it was free green fees whenever I played. Honestly, I can't remember. I must have been 17 or 18." Harrington has certainly given back to Irish golf over the years and recently teamed up with the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council to help set up a free putting green in Marlay Park. The amenity is free to use, and equipment is provided by Harrington, teaming up with longtime sponsors Wilson and Titleist to provide equipment for those willing to play. Both McGinley and Harrington aren't unique when it comes to green fee privileges, with Rory McIlroy recently revealing he last paid a green fee of €250 in 2005 to play Valderamma.
Irish Independent
11 minutes ago
- Irish Independent
Indo Sport podcast: Garry Ringrose's brave call
Garry Ringrose (right) has withdrawn from the second Test against Australia (David Davies/PA) Joe is joined by Ruaidhri O'Connor and Stuart Barnes to preview Saturday's second Test showdown between the Lions and Australia. Ruaidhri joins Joe from Melbourne to discuss Andy Farrell's team selection for the second Test, which has an increasingly Irish flavour. Stuart Barnes then gives Joe his verdict on Australia's first Test performance and why he thinks Finn Russell is the key man for the Lions. Rugby on Indo Sport is brought to you by Energia. If you'd like to get in touch with the show, email us at indosportpodcast@ You can subscribe to our dedicated Indo Sport YouTube page here. Listen on…. Spotify Apple Podcasts
Irish Independent
37 minutes ago
- Irish Independent
Leona Maguire off to a flyer in Scottish Open with legendary caddie in tow
Buoyed by her tie for seventh in the Evian Championship two weeks ago, the Co Cavan star holed a nine-iron for an eagle two on her opening hole, the 10th, and carded a five-under 67 to share the early lead with Japan's Rio Takeda, Spain's Nuria Iturrioz and new star Lottie Woad of England. 'Couldn't really ask for a better start,' Maguire said of her start with Morbey, who caddied for Ian Woosnam when he won the Masters in 1991 and is set to continue on the bag in next week's AIG Women's Open at Royal Porthcawl. 'Holed out with a nine-iron on 10, our first hole today in pretty much perfect conditions for most of the front nine.' Maguire went on to birdie the 17th, first and second for her 67 as she aims to contend for another major in next week's AIG Women's Open at Royal Porthcawl. 'It's always a bonus when those sort of shots go in and hit the flag, even on 18 as well with my pitch in,' said Maguire, who made a hole in one in her last start in France. 'My approach is nicely dialled and first week, put in a new caddie. He was joking, he might as well have walked in after the first, but nice start to the feedback.' Morbey has caddied for a string of stars, including Darren Clarke, José María Olazábal, Justin Rose, and Tommy Fleetwood, and his partnership with Maguire could become a permanent arrangement. 'He was working for Thorbjørn Olesen, who is also at my management company and just set it up,' Maguire said. 'He's a legend of the game. He's caddied for some big players. 'I have big shoes to fill, but it's nice to have his expertise and experience on the bag. It's his first time on the ladies, so it's still a learning adjustment for both of us, but I think we handled it pretty well day one. 'So far, so good. Take it one day at a time and see what we can do.' Maguire has struggled to find her stride this season, but she felt her game was trending in the right direction heading into the KPMG Women's Irish Open. After playing well in the Evian Championship and getting some links practice last week at Portmarnock, she was happy to take advantage of the gentle conditions at Dundonald Links early today. 'I think you never mind being one of the first out on links,' she said. 'Always try and take advantage of the more benign conditions where you can. 'I had obviously been playing well coming into the Irish, and it was a busy week and a bit tired and all the rest, but I suppose the energy of the crowd and all that sort of spurred me on as well. Try and ride the momentum coming off Evian last week.' The wind did not get up for Maguire until late in her round, but she hopes this week's test will be good preparation for the final women's major of the season next week. 'I think bit by bit, you hope for good prep ahead of Porthcawl next week. So the linksier the conditions, the better,' she said Maguire shares the clubhouse with Takeda, Iturrioz, and Woad, who won the KPMG Women's Irish Open by six shots and was third in the Evian Championship as an amateur before turning professional this week. 'Yeah, impressive,' said Maguire, whose former caddie, Dermot Byrne, is working for Woad this week. 'She's obviously riding the crest of a wave, and I played with her first two days of Evian. She's a great player and it's an exciting week, her first professional start.' Maguire, Woad, Takeda and Iturrioz led by a shot in the clubhouse from world number one Nelly Korda and her American compatriot Jenny Bae, England's Liz Young, Australia's Minjee Lee and Switzerland's Morgane Metraux. Castlewarden's Lauren Walsh struggled to hit fairways and was near the back of the field after dropping five shots in her last six holes en route to a five-over 77.
