This year, legal fundraiser the Calcutta Run takes place on Saturday, 18 May. Those taking part can walk or run the 5k or 10k route, or cycle either the 50k or 100k routes. Up to 1,500 legal professionals are expected to take part.

The 2019 event was launched today at Walkers law firm in Dublin. Managing partner Garry Ferguson said that since the firm first opened in Ireland in 2010, they have had strong representation in the charity fundraiser.

Committed

Law Society director general Ken Murphy said that the solicitors’ profession was as committed as ever to helping fight homelessness in Ireland and abroad. 

The Calcutta Run and Cycle Sportive has raised a jaw-dropping €4 million over the past 20 years.

“It is a source of pride to see the Calcutta Run turn 21 this year,” the director general said. “When we started this fundraiser in 1999, we could not have predicted how the problem of homelessness would worsen. Unfortunately, it is now more important to support this cause than ever before.

“Our partner charities rely on the Calcutta Run each year to fund specific projects. Funds from the Calcutta Run have supported almost 700 detox programmes and 20 new home refurbishments in Dublin through the Peter McVerry Trust, as well as 24-hour emergency response units and sheltered accommodation in Kolkata through The Hope Foundation.

He added that the Calcutta Run was proud to be partnering with and supporting both charities again. “I look forward to seeing what the solicitors’ profession can achieve in 2019,” he said.

Lifelong commitments

The Hope Foundation and the Peter McVerry Trust have made lifelong commitments to eradicating extreme poverty and homelessness. SHARE, a Cork-based charity helping the elderly poor, also benefited from funds raised by participants of the inaugural Cork Run in 2018.

The tagline for the Calcutta Run – ‘fighting homelessness in Ireland and Calcutta’ – aptly illustrates how the funds are spent.

For instance, three of the Hope Foundation’s charity’s projects are being completely funded for one year, including:

The HIVE Emergency Response Unit, which rescues abandoned and trafficked women and children,

The Bhoruka Protection Home, which provides care and support to HIV/AIDS-infected and affected girls, and

The Kasba Girls’ Home, which rescues girls below 14 years of age from vulnerable situations in the slums of Kolkata.

Maureen Forrest (founder and director of the Hope Foundation) says: “What the solicitors’ profession has achieved over the past 20 years is a testament to the power of collaboration, commitment and dedication. I can never thank everyone enough for their extraordinary generosity and spirit. We are so proud to be partnered with this incredible event.”

Home sweet home

The Peter McVerry Trust is doing all it can to alleviate homelessness among the 3,500 young people currently homeless in Ireland. It recently opened 13 apartments in Dublin, which were partially funded by proceeds from the Calcutta Run.

Sign up for this year’s event at www.calcuttarun.com.