Irish soldiers in Lebanon are among thousands of Irish people at home and abroad who are running the GOAL Mile today.

The charity assists vulnerable communities in 13 countries in Africa, the Middle East and Latin America.

It would usually attract crowds at organised events around Ireland, but that's not possible this year due to the pandemic.

Instead, people are signing up to do it online.

GOAL is urging people who do take part to stick to their social bubble and avoid congregating.

David Wilkins, Mladen and Jelica Ivosevic and Grace Connor, with Labrador Sadie, doing their GOAL Mile at Bray Seafront

Defence Forces Don Heavy Suits

Members of the Irish Defence Forces, who are on tour in South Lebanon, are taking part too.

Some are doing it in their ordinary running gear, others have opted for a Santa suit and three of them are running in heavy blast suits.

Commanding Officer, Lieutenant. Colonel Fred O’Donovan said:

“This is a Christmas Day like no other as COVID-19 impacts all over the globe."

"Members of the 117 Battalion are not home this Christmas with our families as we continue our tour of duty here in south Lebanon."

"But we were delighted to do our GOAL Mile today, and to support the vulnerable communities GOAL supports in Africa, the Middle East and Latin America.”

Members of the @defenceforces are running the @GOAL_Global Mile in Southern Lebanon today.

Some in Santa suits and some in heavy suits! pic.twitter.com/W6BgVjBRNc

— Tom Douglas (@TomDouglas95) December 25, 2020

It is still possible to register to do a GOAL Mile at www.goalmile.org