Tallaght Vine Group chairman Joe Geoghegan will run the Dublin Half-Marathon this weekend to fundraise for Vine’s annual campaign, “Help us help others.”
Joe will run across the whole of Phoenix Park, starting this Sunday, September 22 at 9am.
“The idea is to help as many families in need as possible,” he said.
Inspired by Joe, his colleague and friend Derek O’Keane has been taking part in the fundraiser for a couple of years too and will run 26.2 miles in the Dublin Marathon on October 27.
“My wife only makes me go for the half now as I’m over 50,” laughed Joe.
As he organised the campaign for six years, he explained how Vine was able to support more and more local families every year.
“At the start we raised enough to help a few families nominated by Saint Vincent de Paul in Jobstown, Brooksfield, Fettercairn and Springfield, who needed extra support on top of what they were giving them.
“But thanks to all the support our campaign received over the following years, last year we were able to support families from any area in Tallaght, and to expand beyond Christmas donations.
The 2023 campaign raised over €5,000 between Joe’s marathon and a concert in November. It helped “over 50 families,” and “a sizeable sum” went to a local school, to be used for children who couldn’t afford sport’s gear.
Families are usually unaware that the help is coming from Vine, as the group donations are based on SVP guidelines.
“They get a Christmas card with cash or vouchers, but we don’t sign it,” said Joe. “And we don’t keep anything, every single penny goes to them.”
“We hope we will keep expanding beyond Christmas time, and that we’ll be able to help families throughout the year. Our support is helping them getting bills paid.”
Sponsor cards to donate are currently available in Saint Mark’s Parish in Springfield, Church of the Incarnation in Fettercairn, and Saint Aidan’s in Jobstown, or donations can be made online at Vine’s Gofundme page.
