The first meeting of a new running club has taken place in Tramore.

The Sanctuary Runners was founded in order to help people in Direct Provision to integrate into Waterford life.

They took part in the parkrun in Tramore this morning and plan to participate every Saturday morning.

The group have places for people in Direct Provision to run in the Waterford Viking Marathon on the 22nd of June, they’re looking for paid up members to run alongside them as part of their team.

Organiser Jac Sinnott says it’s about showing solidarity.

“This initiative started in Cork with people resident in Ireland starting up a running team with people living in Direct Provision.

“It’s in Galway, Limerick, Dublin, Cork and now it’s starting in Waterford.

“It’s friendship, it’s about solidarity, it shows the people in Direct Provision that we are running in solidarity with them. It’s about getting them into the community and running is a good way of doing that.”