Madam, – Reasons to be upbeat being scarce, with pundits already lining up to dub this “The Christmas of Bad Cheer”, may I share one bit of unqualified good news with your readers?
In 1982 Goal organised its first Goal Mile. A run was to be held down the main road in the Phoenix Park, but it was an exercise in hope rather than expectation. For it was to take place on Christmas Day, and who would turn up? Not for the first time, I underestimated the huge hearts of the Irish people.
Thousands appeared out of the recessionary gloom to give us their support. Those were bleak days, but it did not stop people thinking of others less fortunate than themselves.
Coincidentally, due entirely to the astonishing kindness of the Irish people, this Christmas Day, we will be holding Goal Miles at no fewer than 82 venues throughout the country – as well as an event in Abu Dhabi.
Often it is “the worst of times” that brings the best out of our people. – Yours, etc,