24 Years a Running
Members of the legal profession, their families and friends fundraised together on May 28th to help alleviate homelessness. On top of helping a great cause, it was an opportunity to celebrate being reunited with colleagues and friends!
Although this is the 24th year, €4.75 million has been raised over 23 years, which has helped countless homeless young people both at home and abroad through the Peter McVerry Trust, The Hope Foundation, and previously through GOAL.
The fundraiser was originally the idea of Eoin MacNeill and Joe Kelly of A&L Goodbody. In January 1999, Eoin and Joe approached the Law Society to explore ways of bringing the legal profession together to create an annual fundraising event to support homeless children in Ireland and in Calcutta. They met with Ken Murphy, who introduced them to Cillian MacDomhnaill and the idea of Calcutta Run was born! Eoin, Joe and Cillian are still centrally involved in the Calcutta Run today.
Spurred by the success of the inaugural run in 1999, the event has grown from strength to strength including three editions of the Calcutta Run Cycle Sportive (2017 to 2019). Calcutta Run accommodates walkers, runners as well as golfers and Tag rugby players with events taking place in Dublin, Calcutta, Cork and virtually anywhere in Ireland and the world!
Over 1,500 people took part in 2019, raising an incredible €300,000. The same amount again was raised when over 1,000 people took part virtually throughout Ireland within their 5k limit. In total, €500,000 was raised virtually in 2020 and 2021! An incredible achievement during difficult and unprecedented times and something to be proud of by the legal profession.
Calcutta Run wants to raise €300,000 this year for 2 charities: The Hope Foundation and Peter McVerry Trust. With extra effort from all the firms and individuals involved, we are sure they can do it!
Check out the 2 other Calcutta Run events: Tag Rugby Fundraiser took place in Blackhall Place and TU Dublin on May 21st and Calcutta Run Golf Classic took place in Castleknock Golf Club on May 27th.