The scheduled fourth annual Grocers Fun Run in aid of the Irish Grocers Benevolent Fund (IGBF), like so many other events, had to be cancelled earlier this year due to the Covid-19 national lockdown.
Not to be beaten by the pandemic, the Grocers Fun Run committee looked to reinvent the fundraiser and together with huge support from Pop Up races transformed this year’s event into a Virtual challenge by asking participants to help us “Run a Lap of Ireland” to support the IGBF charity. Key sponsors Keeling’s, National Lottery, and Tayto got behind the initiative with their support to make the event happen over the week of the 24th to the 31st of Oct whereby participants had to log their distances ran.
More than 500 participants took part and logged their daily distance all run within their 5k permitted radius. Not to be outdone by a second lockdown, the collective distances run achieved and exceeded the aim of running a lap of Ireland not once but twice and in doing so raising significant funds for the IGBF charity within a particularly challenging year.
The IGBF got phenomenal support from suppliers & retailers within the FMCG sector together with the greater running community.
IGBF chairman Leonard Hegarty said “The event is growing from strength to strength and the move to a virtual event has provided the charity with a new and innovative fundraising dynamic . It’s great to see both suppliers and retailers and the general public coming together and supporting such a great charity.
This year’s President of Appeals, Sharon Buckley, Musgrave Retail Partners Ireland, stated “I was thrilled to see so many from the grocery industry and their families involved in this year’s virtual run; it keeps getting bigger and better every year, creating a new audience for the IGBF. The event raised significant funds which I know will go a long way to provide much needed support for families and individuals who need our help. A very big thank you to the sponsors, corporate partners and the team behind the event, well done to all”.
Chairman of the Grocers Fun Run Committee, Joe Wogan, said “We are delighted we could still hold our event this year especially under the circumstances. Mental health and wellbeing issues are big concerns as people cope through this pandemic. With many businesses operating remotely it’s fantastic that companies have been able to involve and support their staff in participating in the event whilst supporting the charity. We are very grateful for their support”.
Considerable funds were raised over the course of the week. The committee of the Irish Grocers Benevolent Fund (IGBF) thank everyone involved in making this year’s run a virtual event.
The IGBF sends many thanks to all who supported the event.
