Ireland’s largest student-run charity challenge Jailbreak is well underway this week, but instead of students jetsetting around Europe, they are making a difference at home.
Altan Ní Mhurchú, a former student of Coláiste Ailigh in Letterkenny, is leading the charge this year as co-director. Altan is currently studying zoology Trinity College Dublin.
Over the last 8 years Jailbreak has raised over €300,000 for Irish charities. Jailbreak is usually held over a weekend racing around Europe in search of the mystery ‘Location X’. There is also a major focus put on promoting the Irish language throughout the campaign.
Jailbreak in previous years
This year, the event will be in aid of St.Vincent de Paul and Amnesty International, with donations being made through GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/6aabda82
Altan explains: “Due to restrictions we’ve had to cancel the conventional Jailbreak and come up with a plan B. On the 3rd of April we will be hosting a live-stream filled with Irish musicians, guest speakers and even a kids section full of fun activities hosted by Doireann Garrihy. Multiple local musicians will be recording songs for the event like Oisín Nee and Ross Skinnader from Toshín.”
Students are also undertaking home challenges which are released from ‘JailbreakHQ’ on social media this week.
Altan said: “Our first challenge was released last week and it is a ‘555’ challenge. Run/walk 5, donate €5 and tag 5 to do the same challenge. This week we will be having some other fun challenges such as ‘Show us your Location X’ , every year the final destination for jailbreak is somewhere beautiful in Europe and it is named ‘Location X’ so we want people to show us their favourite place or ‘Location X’ within their 5k.
“Another challenge is to teach a stranger an Irish word/phrase or if this is not possible, to share their favourite Irish word on social media.
“Our challenge from St.Vincent de Paul is to write a letter to someone in your local nursing home. “
JailBreak coordinators Beatrice Campbell and Altan Ní Mhurchú (Tadhg Fergus not pictured)
“There will be more challenges released throughout the week but each is based on one of our two charities, Amnesty International and SVP, as well as a challenge or two to promote the Irish Language.
“To enter these challenges all you have to do is follow @JailbreakHQ and tag us in your stories to be in with a chance of winning some amazing prizes.”
The Jailbreak livestream will be taking place on Saturday the 3rd of April and it will be full of popular artists and guest speakers. There is a cost of €12 to enter the livestream and all proceeds are split between Amnesty International and St.Vincent De Paul.
To donate to Jailbreak 2021, visit the GoFundMe campaign: https://gofund.me/6aabda82
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