Fun Run alternative to Christmas Parties

Barnardos and Friends of the Elderly have joined forces to hold 'The Circle of Life 10K Christmas Fun Run' in Marlay Park, 10.00 am Sunday, December 16th. The two charities are encouraging companies teams to use the event as an alternative the traditional 'office party'.

"We believe that the time is right of offer an alternative to the usual end-of-business-year pub scene," says Dermot Kirwan, Development Manager with Friends of the Elderly. "We hope that people who have worked together all year will be attracted to the event as novel way to celebrate start of the Christmas season and the end of the working year, and it's all in aid of two very good causes."

"We called it 'The Circle of Life Run' because it is being held at the end of one year and the beginning of a new one and also because Barnardos and Friends of the Elderly support the vulnerable at both ends of the age spectrum - the young and the elderly."

Ruth Guy from Barnardos said "The first annual Circle of Life fun run, it promised to be a fantastic day, and all the money raised will make a real and lasting difference to the lives of vulnerable people.

"Christmas can be a very difficult time for the young who are under threat and the elderly who live alone. The Circle of Life fun run is a way that people can show that someone cares. We are hoping that people will see it as a fun way to raise funds so they can have a happier Christmas."

The event is organised and sponsored by Datasolutions and is being organised under Business Houses Athletic Association rules.

For further details see the websites www.barnardos.ie or www.friendsoftheelderly.ie.