Christmas Day charity events raise almost €5,000

Navan"s Ramparts area was the setting for a charity fundraising fun event on Christmas morning. In mild weather far removed from the current chilly economic climate, members of Navan Road Club and the local St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP) gathered for the bikers" annual novelty time trial in aid of the SVP. A total of €3,921 was donated by passing motorists and pedestrians towards the work of the society in the Navan area. Among those lending support and helping in the collection were PJ Nolan of the host club, a former president of Cycling Ireland, and Meath TD Damien English. Catherine O"Connor, Navan SVP area president, thanked Navan Road Club for its efforts and the public for its generous contributions. Meanwhile, the fourth annual GOAL Mile, held at Kill National School, Rathmolyon, on Christmas morning raised over €800 for the Third World charity. While the sum raised was down on previous years, due mainly to the absence of some very generous individual contributors of the past, the event was enjoyed by the many to took advantage of the beautiful sunny morning to stretch their limbs. The event in Rathmolyon was one of 73 such GOAL Miles held around the country, where some €0.5m million was raised for relief work, mainly in Ethiopia. The organisers have extended thanks to all who supported the event so generously.