16 Kildare schools participating in GOAL’s national fundraiser, Jersey Day

GOAL Jersey Day will take place in 500+ schools and businesses across Ireland on Friday, October 11

GOAL ambassador, athlete, Olympian, and athletics commentator for RTE at the 2024 Olympics, David Gillick, recently teamed up with his three children Oscar (aged eight), Olivia (aged six), and Louis (aged three), in their nearby Marlay Park, to announce the return of the humanitarian aid charity’s national flagship fundraising campaign, Jersey Day, on Friday, October 11.  
 
This year, GOAL is celebrating 36 years of Jersey Day. Schools and businesses will be swapping out their uniforms and usual office dress for their favourite sports jerseys. All funds raised will go towards supporting GOAL’s lifesaving humanitarian aid and development work, in 14 countries across Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America. Jersey Day is a household favourite, having raised over €5 million to date. Last year, 40,000 people across 136 businesses and state organisations, and 476 primary and secondary schools, took part in Jersey Day. The campaign raised a total of €208,000. In Kildare alone, 16 schools will be participating. They’re joined by the Irish Defence Forces.
 
Speaking about this fun national fundraising campaign, GOAL Ambassador, David Gillick said, "I have worn many jerseys in my life, as an athlete, and playing other sports in school and university, and then as a professional track and field athlete and coach, and now as an RTE athletics commentator and presenter - and as a father of three young children who are immersed in local activities. And I have lots of favourite jerseys.” 
 
“The fun of Jersey Day lies in its simplicity – all you need to do is dig out your favourite jersey, wear it on Fri 11th Oct or a day around that date in your school or workplace, and donate to GOAL’s humanitarian aid work.” 
 
The fundraiser also offers those that take part, especially in a post-pandemic world, an ideal opportunity for reconnection, fostering a sense of camaraderie while supporting GOAL’s mission to help some of the world’s most vulnerable communities move from extreme crisis to resilience, where everyone has equal rights and opportunities. 
 
You can register to take part in Jersey Day via jerseyday.org. Generously supported by Folens, Ireland’s leading School Books Publisher, this year’s Jersey Day also invites participants to showcase their involvement and inspire others by sharing images and experiences on social media using the hashtag #GOALJerseyDay.