Arcadia Retail Park organising '5KFOR50K' fundraiser for ten local charities hit by Covid-19

Arcadia Retail Park in Athlone has launched an ambitious charity initiative which is aiming to generate €50,000 for ten Midlands charities whose usual fundraising work has been disrupted by Covid-19.

The ‘Arcadia 5KFOR50K’ fundraiser is encouraging people to take part in virtual 5k events to help raise money for the ten charities which are based in Westmeath, Longford, Roscommon, Galway, and Offaly.

The money raised will be distributed evenly among the charities and, if the €50,000 target is reached, Arcadia Retail Park has pledged that it will donate an additional €10,000 to the pot.

The fundraiser will involve a virtual 5k run, walk, or cycle event held for five consecutive weekends in the five counties where the charities are based.

The first event will be held in Westmeath on Friday July 17, the fundraiser will then continue with a focus on a different county each weekend up to the weekend of Friday, August 14.

Individuals, families and supporters are invited to complete a 5k at any time during that weekend, in whatever location they wish to choose, by running, walking or cycling.

Each weekend will see a different county hold a virtual 5k event with a focus on two local charities.

The ten charities involved are: St Hilda's Services (Athlone); Good2Talk (Mullingar); St Christopher's Services (Longford); NCBI (Moate); South Westmeath Hospice; Family Resource Centre (Roscommon & Castlerea); Irish Wheelchair Association (Athlone & Mullingar); East Galway & Midlands Cancer Support (Ballinasloe); Offaly Family Resource Centre; and Offaly Domestic Violence Support Services.

The virtual nature of the fundraiser means people can take part in their 5k anywhere from Mullingar to Mumbai, from Ballinasloe to Bali, or from Athlone to Amsterdam.

Participants are encouraged to donate via the 'Arcadia 5KFOR50K' Go Fund Me page and 100% of the money donated will be distributed to the charities.

"We are delighted to promote and sponsor this event, which I hope captures people's imagination to get out and do a run or walk and to give support to the wide range of local charities," said Fiachra McLoughlin, Director of Arcadia Retail Park.

"The charitable and voluntary sector has been hit hard by the Covid lockdown and we hope this will help them raise funds to continue on with their great work."

The community marketing manager at Arcadia Retail Park, Jimmy Keane, said: "We hope that this fundraising effort is successful for all of the local charities involved. The vital work they do hasn't stopped and, in some cases, has increased – but fundraising has been really difficult recently."

There will be an 'Arcadia 5KFOR50K' supporters' raffle, with spot prizes each weekend for those who have donated to the charities.

"We would invite everyone who can to join in and support, from individuals to families to running, cycling, and football clubs and help us to raise much-needed funds for each of these local charities," said Katie Gleeson, Marketing Manager at Arcadia Retail Park.

The Go Fund Me page for the initiative can be found at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/arcadia-5kfor50k