David Gillick and his children launched the GOAL national fundraiser, Jersey Day.

Put on your favourite sports jersey for GOAL fundraiser

Published:

Westmeath schools participating in GOAL Jersey Day this year are:

• St Mary’s PS Mullingar

• Dalystown NS

• Emper NS

• Na Fea Preschool

• Scoil an Chlochair

• St Joseph’s Secondary School

• St Patrick’s NS

• St Michael’s NS

• Mercy Secondary School Kilbeggan

• Gaelscoil Naomh Pádraig

They are among the 500+ schools and businesses across the country planning to participate in Jersey Day this Friday, October 11.

GOAL ambassador, athlete, Olympian, and athletics commentator for RTÉ at the 2024 Olympics, David Gillick, teamed up with his three children Oscar (aged 8), Olivia (ged 6), and Louis (3), in their nearby Marlay Park, to announce the return of the humanitarian aid charity’s national flagship fundraising campaign.

This year, GOAL is celebrating 36 years of Jersey Day, when people at schools and businesses swap 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 has raised more than €5 million to date.

Last year, 40,000 people across 136 businesses and state organisations, and 476 primary and secondary schools, took part. The campaign raised €208,000.

The Westmeath schools participating this year are joined by Home Instead Midlands and Athlone and Castlerea Credit Union.

GOAL ambassador, David Gillick said: “I’ve 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 as an RTÉ 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 Friday, or a day around that date, in your school or workplace, and donate to GOAL’s humanitarian aid work.”

You can register to take part in Jersey Day at jerseyday.org.

Supported by Folens, Ireland’s leading School Books Publisher, this year’s Jersey Day also invites participants to share their involvement and inspire others by sharing images and experiences on social media using the hashtag #GOALJerseyDay.

Published: