Grocers Family Fun Run goes virtual

Not to be outdone by a second lockdown, participants managed to exceed the IGBF's aim of running a lap of Ireland not once but twice

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The scheduled fourth annual Grocers Fun Run in aid of the Irish Grocers Benevolent Fund (IGBF) like so many events had to be cancelled earlier this year due to Covid-19 national lockdown.

Not to be beaten by the pandemic, the Grocers Fun Run committee looked to reinvent the fundraiser and together with huge support from Pop Up races transformed this year’s event into a virtual challenge by asking participants to help “Run a Lap of Ireland” to support the IGBF charity.

Key sponsors Keeling’s, National Lottery,  and Tayto got behind the initiative with their support to make the event happen over the week of the 24- 31 October, when participants logged the distances they ran.

More than 500 participants took part and logged their daily distance, all run within their 5k permitted radius. Not to be outdone by a second lockdown, the collective distances achieved by participants actually exceeded the IGBF’s aim of running a lap of Ireland not once but twice. In doing so, participants raised significant funds for the IGBF charity within a particularly challenging year.

Overall, the IGBF received phenomenal support from suppliers and retailers within the FMCG sector together with the greater running community.

“The event is growing from strength to strength and the move to a virtual event has provided the charity with a new and innovative fundraising dynamic,” said IGBF chairman Leonard Hegarty.

“I was thrilled to see so many from the grocery industry and their families involved in this year’s virtual run; it keeps getting bigger and better every year creating a new audience for the IGBF,” added this year’s president of appeals, Sharon Buckley, Musgrave Retail Partners Ireland.

“The event raised significant funds which I know  will go a long way to provide much needed support for families and individuals who need our help,” Buckley added. “A very big thank you to the sponsors, corporate partners and the team behind the event, well done to all.”

Chairman of the Grocers Fun Run committee Joe Wogan said he was likewise delighted that the event could still go ahead this year.

“Mental health and wellbeing issues are big concerns as people cope through this pandemic,” Wogan said. “With many businesses operating remotely it’s fantastic that companies have been able to involve and support their staff in participating in the event whilst supporting the charity. We are very grateful for their support.”

Considerable funds were raised over the course of the week. The committee of the Irish Grocers Benevolent Fund (IGBF) have thanked everyone involved in making this year’s run a virtual event.

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