ORBIS Ireland
On Thursday 22 November, 41 ORBIS Ireland supporters set off for Addis Ababa to take part in the Great Ethiopian Run 2012. After five consecutive years, ORBIS Ireland is the longest standing and largest international participant in the race.
Following on from the success of previous years, our enthusiastic participants began their trip with a welcome lunch and a visit to an ORBIS-supported programme at Menelik II Hospital, Addis Ababa. Both Dr. Alemayehu Sisay, ORBIS Ethiopia Country Director and Dr. Donal Brosnahan, ORBIS Ireland Board Member and volunteer ophthalmologist were on hand to explain exactly how the funds raised by the group will go towards eliminating the blinding eye disease trachoma.
The following day was spent taking in the sights of the city. From elaborate roadside coffee ceremonies to the bustling markets filled with exotic treasures, it is fair to say that Addis Ababa had something for everybody. From the top of Entoto Mountain, on the outskirts of the city, we gathered our thoughts and prepared ourselves for the day ahead.
Early on Sunday morning the group assembled for the big event. With the excitement palpable, we set off for the run of our lives. Joining the crowd of over 36,000 in Meskel square (central Addis Ababa) we geared up to give Africa’s biggest road race our best shot. After much excitement, huffing and puffing and a tremendous effort from all involved, Mark Kavanagh Dunne was the first ORBIS Ireland supporter to cross the line in a very impressive 54 minutes.
Delighted with our recent accomplishment, the group celebrated on the podium with legendary Ethiopian runner Haile Gebrselaisse. Afterwards, it was back to the hotel for a well deserved rest before we headed to a reception hosted by the Irish Ambassador to Ethiopia, H. E. Aidan O’Hara.
Early on Sunday morning the group assembled for the big event. With the excitement palpable, we set off for the run of our lives. Joining the crowd of over 36,000 in Meskel square (central Addis Ababa) we geared up to give Africa’s biggest road race our best shot. After much excitement, huffing and puffing and a tremendous effort from all involved, Mark Kavanagh Dunne was the first ORBIS Ireland supporter to cross the line in a very impressive 54 minutes.
Delighted with our recent accomplishment, the group celebrated on the podium with legendary Ethiopian runner Haile Gebrselaisse. Afterwards, it was back to the hotel for a well deserved rest before we headed to a reception hosted by the Irish Ambassador to Ethiopia, H. E. Aidan O’Hara.
Through the hard work and dedication of our participants, we raised a staggering €70,000! These funds will directly help to eradicate trachoma in some of the poorest regions of southern Ethiopia.
This year, ORBIS Ireland featured in a documentary presented by Rob Walker for Channel 4 and you can check out the full programme here. In addition, our wonderfully talented photographer, Mel Maclaine, captured the thoroughly enjoyable trip with some great shots and you can see them all in our gallery.
On behalf of ORBIS Ireland and those whose lives have been transformed, I would like to sincerely thank all our Great Ethiopian Run participants. Next year, the run will take place on 24 November and we are very much looking forward to making it our most successful trip yet.
In 2012, ORBIS celebrated 30 years saving sight and none of this would have been possible without your support. As we move forward on our sight saving journey, we are proud to say that ORBIS Ireland is now stronger than ever before. With your help, we can continue to give the gift of sight to those most in need in 2013 and beyond.
Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year,
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