Fota Wildlife Park, a wildlife conservation charity, is delighted to receive €6,500 from Eagle Athletic Club, proceeds from the 2026 Cheetah Run 5K road race.
This year's €6,500 donation will support the Giraffe Conservation Foundation, helping to contribute to the conservation of giraffes in the wild.
The yearly race which has taken place within the grounds of Fota Wildlife Park since 2009, has become a much-loved fixture in the local community calendar and a significant community effort towards raising funds for the wildlife conservation. Now in its 17th year, the Cheetah Run brought together runners, families and supporters to promote health and fitness while raising vital funds for conservation.
Each year, the proceeds from the race support conservation initiatives connected with Fota Wildlife Park and have supported a range of important projects, including the conservation of the endangered native Natterjack Toad and the Red Panda Network.
Aileen Tennant, Director, Fota Wildlife Park said, “On behalf of the team at Fota Wildlife Park, I would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the Eagle Athletic Club but in particular the race committee and organisers, the tireless volunteers and of course the participants and supporters for making this significant contribution to the Giraffe Conservation Foundation possible.
The race has grown into a great community event, selling out each year and attracting thousands of people to the Park. It has become an annual celebration of running, health, community, nature and conservation.
The funds raised comes during a particularly significant year for giraffes at Fota Wildlife Park, following the birth of a critically endangered Nubian giraffe calf. Fota is home to an iconic herd of Nubian giraffes, which have consistently been among the most popular animals with visitors.”
Giraffes continue to face significant threats in the wild. As the world's tallest land animal, they have already become extinct in some African countries, while populations have declined substantially across their natural range. Habitat loss remains one of the major challenges facing the species.
Róisín FitzGerald, Marketing and PR Manager at Fota Wildlife Park, said: “Fota Wildlife Park is delighted to continue its long-standing partnership with Eagle Athletic Club and to provide the venue for the annual Cheetah Run.
The event is a wonderful example and a great symbol of stakeholder collaboration, bringing people together through running while raising awareness of conservation.
The Cheetah Run helps to connect the community with the important conservation work taking place at Fota Wildlife Park. As a not-for-profit organisation, we are extremely grateful to Eagle Athletic Club for their continued support and for bringing this fantastic event to the Park each year.
The €6,500 raised this year will make a valuable contribution towards giraffe conservation, and we are delighted to announce that that the funds will support the Giraffe Conservation Foundation.”
