ILCU Foundation and ILCU launch Step Up Challenge - 10 million steps in 10 days

Posted on: 07 Sep 2021

The ILCU International Development Foundation in conjunction with the Irish League of Credit Unions have today launched the first ever Credit Union Step Up Challenge for credit union staff and volunteers. 
 
Staff and volunteers from the credit union movement will join together to ‘virtually walk/run’ 10 million steps in 10 days from the League’s office on Mount Street, Dublin to the Foundation’s field office on Fort Street, Sierra Leone. The Challenge will start on Monday 11th and run until Wednesday 20^th October.  
 
Credit unions are being encouraged to enter teams made up of staff and volunteers. Individuals can register as part of a team for the challenge via idontate here.
 
The aim of the of the Step Up Challenge is raise awareness and raise funds which will go towards the continued development of credit unions in Sierra Leone. The funds will enable them to provide much needed access to affordable and ethical savings and loans and to empower their members.   
 
Alan Moore, CEO of the Foundation, said, “The Foundation works with local partners to strengthen credit union movements in low-income developing countries. The global pandemic has brought many challenges, but as communities around the world start to rebuild after the pandemic, the Foundation’s work is more important than ever as we aim to achieve financial inclusion for all and ensure communities can become resilient and build back better. We're very excited to start our first ever CU Challenge along with all of our colleagues and volunteers in the credit union movement who can to join us to ‘Step Up’ for Sierra Leone." 
 
Helene McManus, ILCU President said, "The Foundation plays an important and key role in educating people and assisting in the development of credit union movements internationally. It carries out tremendous work by helping communities to access basic financial products and services. In the spirit of co-operation among co-operatives, the ILCU is delighted to support the Foundation on this, their first Step Up Challenge.
 
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Further information  
 
If you need more information, visit the Foundation’s website: ilcufoundation.ie/stepup or email foundation@creditunion.ie.  
 
This is a ‘virtual event’, updates will be made across social media channels (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn) using the hashtags #CUStepUp and #MountSt2FortStreet.