EUR
STG
This weekend 164 third level students will take part in the iconic Jailbreak race. In teams of two, the students will have 36 hours to travel to a mystery location somewhere in the world without spending any of their own money, in a bid to raise 50,000 for charity. Throughout the competition, the students will be given a series of clues which guide them toward a secret location, the first team to arrive will be declared the Jailbreak champions for 2016.
Jailbreak is Ireland’s largest student-run charity challenge. All funds raised are split equally between Amnesty International Ireland and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Originating in Trinity College, Jailbreak has now expanded to 6 third level institutions. Over the past four years, it has raised €100,000 for the two partner charities. This year, the students have set an ambitious target to raise €50,000.
St Vincent de Paul’s college groups take part in social action and volunteering in their colleges and local communities based on the needs that the students themselves feel need to be addressed. They work to advance St Vincent de Paul’s social justice mission, by tackling poverty in all forms and providing support and friendship to those who need it most.
“We have more than 15 Young SVP College Conferences (groups) across the country, involving thousands of students. All of these students are engaging in activities that make a positive difference to the lives of others while also creating greater awareness of social justice issues faced. The work they do is phenomenal and SVP is proud to have them and support them as SVP volunteers. The students are responsible for deciding what their activities will be, they organise them and they deliver them with funds raised through Jailbreak 2016 and their other fund-raising ventures.” said Grainne Lee, National SVP Youth Committee Chair.
Throughout their travels, the students will be highlighting Amnesty’s campaigning work for refugees and migrants around the world via social media. They will also raise awareness of the ongoing imprisonment of young Irish man Ibrahim Halawa, who has now spent more than 30 months in an Egyptian prison.
“Now in its fourth year, we are delighted that Jailbreak continues to attract such fantastic support from Irish students. This year, participants will have 36 hours to beg, borrow and blag their way to the secret location, all the while raising awareness of the plight of thousands of migrants and refugees on the move around the world. I am particularly pleased that the students have chosen to highlight the case of young Irish man Ibrahim Halawa, who was 17 years old when he was arrested. I know that their support will mean a lot to Ibrahim. We hope that their efforts will play a part in bringing Ibrahim home to Ireland so that he can get on with his own studies,” said Colm O’Gorman, Executive Director of Amnesty International Ireland.
To find out more or donate to one of the teams see www.jailbreakhq.org
