A number of Leinster players are backing the 25th anniversary of Blackrock College’s annual St Patrick’s Day Badge campaign for GOAL and Aidlink which will get off to a great start on Wednesday morning at 11am, March 6th, when the boys attempt to break a world record for the world’s largest human shamrock…
Amongst the players supporting this year’s fundraiser which include the likes of Fionn Carr, Leo Cullen, Luke Fitzgerald, Shane Jennings, Fergus McFadden and Eoin Reddan who have all given their support to the record attempt, is Minister for Education and Skills, Mr Ruairi Quinn TD.
The attempt will see more than 800 students gathering on the lawns of Blackrock College and, with the assistance of teachers and staff, forming the shape of a giant shamrock.
All the boys will be wearing pre-made green t-shirts to follow the record regulations and are required to hold the shape of the image for five minutes.
The College has led the St Patrick’s Day badges campaign for the past 25 years and over that period, have managed to raise more than €;2 million for GOAL and Aidlink.
The campaign has been a huge part of the transition year programme since its inception in 1988. The boys control all aspects of the project from selling to advertising and ordering the badges.
Over 5,000 students have taken part over the years, including Ryan Tubridy, Leo Cullen, Paul Byrom and Brian O’Driscoll, while 3.5 million badges have been sold in Ireland, and overseas in countries such as the USA, England, Scotland, Wales and France.
This year, being the 25th year of the campaign, the students decided to break a world record to promote the badge.
The badges – which cost just €;2 – will once again be sold by the students on the streets, shops and newsagents nationwide in the run up to St Patrick’s Day. The money raised will once again be split equally between Goal and Aidlink.
For more information, please contact Head of Publcity Maurice Buckley at mauricebuckley@hotmail.com
