Limerick a ‘natural home’ for Sanctuary Runners in solidarity with Direct Provision

LIMERICK citizens and those in Direct Provision will together take part in next year’s Great Limerick Run as part of an initiative to show solidarity to those seeking asylum in Ireland.

The Sanctuary Runners’ initiative, which was established in Cork, has now been extended to Limerick following its launch this week.

Members of the Sanctuary Runners club will join forces with local parkruns across the city and county for weekly Saturday morning runs.

The Sanctuary Runners, which is a non-profit organisation run entirely by volunteers, had a team of 200 competing in this year’s Cork City Marathon including 51 runners from across the five different Direct Provision Centres in Cork.

Leading the initiative in Limerick, Lime Tree Theatre marketing manager Gillian Fenton said it is hoped that members of the public can join the group with the aim of taking part in the Great Limerick Run in May 2019. 

“Often people don’t know how they can help people in Direct Provision. They don’t know if and how they can meet with them and show their solidarity. This is a simple, uplifting and positive way of making that connection and showing the how compassionate the people of Limerick are,” she said.

Donnah Vuma, who is a Direct Provision resident, explained the importance of the new initiative.

“We all know how important exercise is for keeping us physically healthy, it also reduces the risk of developing mental health conditions, like depression and anxiety which many people experience while living in direct provision.

“To be able to exercise with friends and members of the local community bridges the gap between communities which makes Sanctuary Runners so great. This will help people living in direct provision make new friends and increase their sense of belonging in the community. It will also increase self-esteem, social skills and networks while reducing isolation and loneliness.”

Irish Times feature writer and RTE Radio One broadcaster Graham Clifford is the founder of the Sanctuary Runners initiative. 

Delighted at this week’s announcement, Mr Clifford said Limerick was a “natural home” for the new initiative.