The GRI are hoping it'll provide an outlet to the elderly for an evening's entertainment.
Free entry will be given at Mullingar Greyhound Stadium on November 13th as Greyhound Racing Ireland look to acknowledge those who have lost their lives during the pandemic and help give a social outlet to the elderly.
The initiative, entitled “Ag Rásaíocht Le Chéile” or "Racing Together", also is being rolled out across eight other greyhound racing stadia stadia with the evening’s race card being preceded by a minute’s silence in memory of all victims of Covid.
Racegoers are being asked to buy a €2 programme for the night, the proceeds of which will go directly to ALONE.
Philip Peake, Interim Chief Executive, GRI says:
COVID-19 has been particularly impactful on the lives of older people and GRI says it hopes the free race events will provide a much-needed social outlet for members of the local community. Ag Rásaíocht Le Chéile is very much about providing people, particularly the elderly and those living alone, a great night out at the races after having spent much of the past 18 months with few social outlets available to them.
It's been a tough time for everyone, and it is important that GRI recognises the incredible national effort to fight the virus, protect lives and to ensure the safe reopening of society.
We look forward to welcoming families, couples and individuals who may be going to the races for the first time as well as those who will be returning to greyhound racing for the first time since stadia were closed in 2020.”
Ag Rásaíocht Le Chéile is being repeated at 10 greyhound stadia across the country, including in Shelbourne Park in Dublin, Galway, Newbridge, Kilkenny, Kingdom Greyhound Stadium in Tralee (Friday, November 12th), Curraheen Park in Cork, Mullingar, Dundalk, Limerick and Kilcohan Park in Waterford (Saturday, November 13th).
Sean Moynihan, CEO of ALONE says:
“ALONE would like to thank GRI for its wonderful support for our organisation following what has been an extremely difficult period for older people who have been particularly isolated due to COVID-19. The pandemic has presented many challenges and undoubtedly has enhanced the negative impact of social isolation on older people’s health and wellbeing.
The upcoming race nights provide a great opportunity for a social evening, and we want to especially invite everyone to consider bringing an older relative, neighbour or friend along on the night that they may not have seen in a while.”
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