The Liverpool Irish Centre is a registered charity and the home of the Irish community on Merseyside. It is a cultural centre where people meet to dance and play music and watch Gaelic games. Every week about 75 young people learn Irish dancing and Irish traditional music. Others learn the Irish language. There are concerts and ceilis. The centre looks after pensioners and does a lot of work to improve mental health in the local area. It is an important place in the lives of many people. In the last 12 months or so we have been visited by the ambassador, the president and the Taoiseach.

It is a place very dear to my heart. I have been involved for many years including three as the chair of the committee. I have started a book club and an Irish folk music night both of which have been running for a long time. I have put on plays and poetry nights.

The centre needs money to keep up its great work. We receive grants from the Irish government and charities such as the Irish Youth Foundation but there are significant running expenses.

Which is why on 29 October my son Bob and myself are running the Dublin marathon. This will be the first and last one I do certainly and the only time I will ask for your financial support. We would be very grateful for any support you can give to us and more importantly the Liverpool Irish Centre.

Thank you,

Patrick and Bob