Press Release CAROLINE MORAHAN URGES 500 PEOPLE TO GET ON THEIR BIKE FOR FOCUS IRELAND DUBLIN TRIATHLON AND HELP RAISE UP TO €250,000 TO COMBAT HOMELESSNESS
PS THEY ALSO HAVE TO TAKE THE PLUNGE TO SWIM 750 METRES AND RUN 5K!
Caroline Morahan launched Focus Ireland’s fourth annual Triathlon and urged 500 adventure seekers to take on the challenge and help raise up to €250,000 to support the charity’s work to combat and prevent homelessness in Ireland.
This event was previously held in Kildare and this is first time it is to be held right in the heart of Dublin at Grand Canal Square and it will be the first triathlon ever to take place in the newly regenerated docklands area. Focus Ireland is hoping plenty of people living in the capital city – and indeed from all over the country – will answer the charity’s call and sign up for this top event to help raise funds to support their services and housing programmes.
The Triathlon has raised €300K for Focus Ireland since it kicked off in 2005 and the move to Dublin now means 500 people can take part in the event compared to 200 in previous years so it will help to raise more funds vital for the housing and homeless charity’s important work.
Caroline Morahan donned her running gear and teamed up at Grand Canal Square with cyclist John Vaudin and swimmer Liam Dunne who are both taking part in the event on Sunday morning of August 3rd later this year. John is a keen supporter of Focus Ireland and helped set up the charity’s first Triathlon three years ago and is also on the committee each year.
Meanwhile, keen sportsman Liam is a leading Irish Triathlete and won a silver medal winner in the Irish National Triathlon at Olympic Distance.
Caroline said: “We are all hoping the weather will be great for the Triathlon in August but rain or shine it will be a great way for people to support the work of Focus Ireland. I would urge people to sign up now as I bet the places are going to be filled up very quickly for a special event like this to be held right in the centre of Dublin at Grand Canal Dock.”
Focus Ireland raised €6.3 million from fundraising events, donations and corporate support in 2007. These funds went towards the charity’s work providing support services to over 5,000 people each year and also providing a place to call home for over 500 households through housing in Dublin, Limerick, Waterford, Cork and Sligo.
The triathlon consists of a 750m swim in Grand Canal Basin followed by a 5km run and 20km cycle along Dublin’s historic quays. The event is open to both individuals and teams. (Teams must consist of three participants; each team member completes one discipline only) Each individual must raise sponsorship of €250 and each team must raise €550 to take part in the Triathlon. The event will be an exciting challenge for both first-time and experienced triathletes. People can log on to www.focusireland.ie or phone 1850 204 205 to sign up and get further details.
Focus Ireland Director of Fundraising Mark Mellett said: “Caroline has been an active supporter of Focus Ireland’s work since she got involved last year and I think It’s great when people of her public profile take the time to support charity work as this encourages people to take part in fundraising events while also helpting to raise awareness about social problems such as homelessness.”
Mr. Mellett also paid tribute to the Dublin Docklands Development Authority (DDDA) for providing the great location for this year’s event.
He added “Focus Ireland is committed under our five year strategy to provide 800 homes by 2010. We also provide – and will continue to develop – a range of vital support and preventative services to help ensure everyone has a right to a place called home. Money raised by events such as this are vital as they help us to fund this work.”
Wheelworx Bike and Tri Specialist is providing guidance for first time triathletes in the form of an on-line Q&A session, training guides and a new to tri training day. The event is also kindly supported by Dublin’s Q102. The event can be enjoyed by everyone but for those who like a competitive edge to things Centro are kindly providing a prize of a racing bike for the best fundraiser, fastest male and the fastest female in the event.
