Keep walking and keep donating as 50 Miles in January Challenge nears €100,000 mark

Leitrim GAA and LGFA’s 50 Miles in January Challenge is well into its stride with the walkers and their distinctive lime-green beanie hats smiling at us from multiple settings in Ireland and abroad including the US, Australia and Britain.

At the time of going to press, €95,262.23 has been raised so far by walkers and runners all over the world and with the end of the month fast approaching, time is running out for those looking to complete their own personal challenge.

The exchange of these walking experiences against a kaleidoscope of locations, between the Irish based participants and our diaspora across the world, is key to the excitement and enjoyment which the Challenge generates - it’s the magic sauce.

Leitrim supporters in the Big Apple gather for grand finale of 50 Mile Challenge

This year’s Challenge has already achieved many “firsts “.It has broken all previous records in the number of people reached through social media promotions - at 180,000, up three times.  Even at this stage of the month, over 40,000 people have visited the  50miles.ie  pages compared with some 30,000 for the whole campaign last year.

The special approach to companies and firms to involve them and their staff has been spectacularly successful: over 30 organisations compared with three previously. 

The corporate area on the 50miles.ie website shows the diverse range of organisations participating. 

And, of course, not to be forgotten is the joint collaboration between the Leitrim GAA and the Leitrim Ladies Gaelic Football Association which is a first for Leitrim and the first such in Ireland.

A final unique aspect is the collaboration with Leitrim County Council, the major sponsors of the initiative, as all parties share the aim of promoting Leitrim as a great place to visit, invest in, relocate to and work remotely from.

It’s all set to make the final push over the next fortnight. The message from the organisers is: keep walking and keep donating. 

Leitrim people all know what the McGovern family have done for Leitrim and for the GAA

Over 1,100 fundraiser pages are in operation and the owners - individuals and organisations - are being encouraged to get that first donation in and that follow-on donations will then more easily come.

On 50miles.ie  are links to special donation hubs for supporters in London and New York.   And, in New York, they are planning their unique “walk in the Park “gathering at the end of the month while the diaspora in London are planning a Challenge initiative ahead of the GAA Allianz League clash between Leitrim and London on Sunday, February 5.