Press Release
August 27, 2021 • 2 min read
CEOs of Vodafone, AIB and Recruiters were among senior figures from Irish business who got into top gear today (Friday August 27th) for the inaugural GOAL CEO Cycle Challenge.
Led by Vodafone CEO and GOAL’s outgoing chairperson, Anne O’Leary, those who got on their bikes for the fun event in Dun Laoghaire included Colin Hunt, CEO of AIB and Gerard Doyle, CEO of Recruiters.
Funds raised from the cycle will support GOAL’s work in health, nutrition, emergency response and livelihoods in their 14 countries of operation. Now more than ever, the support of organisations like GOAL is needed in developing countries with Covid-19, climate change and conflict having such a devastating impact, in particular on food security. The UN recently confirmed that more than 811 million people in the world are now suffering from hunger or malnutrition.
After today’s event GOAL CEO, Siobhan Walsh, thanked the business leaders for giving up time from their busy schedules to take part: “GOAL helped more than 14.3 million people in Africa, the Middle East and Latin America last year, and we could not have done this without the continued support of the Irish people. All of us at GOAL are truly grateful for the support shown today by Ireland’s top business leaders.”
Ms Walsh continued: “As well as raising critical funds for GOAL it was wonderful to see how today’s cycle forged an invaluable connection between people, as well as creating great memories in what is a big sporting year.”
Vodafone CEO, Anne O’Leary, said: “I was honoured to stand with this wonderful group of cyclists today. GOAL’s support on the ground in developing countries is a vital lifeline to communities of people truly devastated by the impact of climate change, war and conflict and the escalating Covid-19 crisis.”
Ms O’Leary concluded: “We saw for example last week, the courage and agility of GOAL and its teams in responding to the aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti. So today, we stand together with GOAL to show the support of the Irish business community for people who are suffering around the world.”
