It started with a 3 legged race
Shamrock Love founder, Siobhán Kelleher-Petersen with children and teachers at one of CCAFO’s preschools. Kampot province, Cambodia (April 2010)
Shamrock Love began long before the website ever went live.
My name is Siobhán Kelleher-Petersen, and I am the founder of Shamrock Love and organiser of the 3 Legged Charity Race.
In 2001, together with my friends Des Carswell and Garrett McKeon, we started what was meant to be a bit of fun - a 3 legged race to bring people together on St. Patrick’s Day.
It didn’t take long before it turned into something bigger.
By 2007, the event had grown into a fundraiser for various charities. What began as a bit of craic turned into a powerful gathering of racers, volunteers, local Irish bars, partners, and businesses, all coming together for a good cause.
Cambodia and the seeds of Shamrock Love
In April 2010, during travels in Cambodia, the Irish community introduced me to Hing Channarith (Rith), CEO of CCAFO.
I was fortunate enough to spend time with Rith and the children at CCAFO’s preschool in Kampot province, seeing firsthand the extraordinary work being done there.
Since then, race donations have supported CCAFO’s preschool and English language programs. For instance, in 2016, our donation helped build a classroom at the CCAFO English Language Center in Kampong Speu Province.
It was in Cambodia it became clear this was about connection - not just a race.
The meaning behind the shamrock love symbol
Explaining a 3-legged charity race across languages isn’t always easy. Words can get lost in translation. The feeling behind it — connection, generosity, community — that’s universal.
And from that idea, Shamrock Love took root.
The shamrock became a simple symbol of love. A reminder that wherever we are in the world, we can come together, connect, and support one another.
That was the seed of Shamrock Love.
Growing the vision
Back in Denmark, as the 3 Legged Charity Race continued to grow, new ways were explored to raise awareness for the charities it supported.
In 2013 (and again in 2014), the Greening of the Little Mermaid was organized — Tourism Ireland’s first global greening in Denmark.
In March 2020, like so many events around the world, the race was cancelled. Yet, the spirit of giving continued. Together, 15,000 DKK (approximately €2,000) was raised for three charities.
Even when we couldn’t stand side by side, we stayed connected.
Launching Shamrock Love in 2021
In March 2021, while the virus once again cancelled the race, I officially launched Shamrock Love. It gave the initiative a name, an identity, and space to grow beyond a single annual event.
Shamrock Love became the banner under which connection, generosity, and community could continue to expand.
How Shamrock Love continues to grow
Shamrock Love still centres around the 3 Legged Charity Race, and the vision is growing.
It brings together Irish communities, friends, volunteers, businesses, and partners to collaborate around shared causes and build meaningful connections year-round.
I hope the idea of Shamrock Love inspires others, as it inspired me.
I look forward to connecting with volunteers, donors, businesses, and community leaders, and hearing about the charities that matter most to them.
So together, we can continue to sow the seeds of Shamrock Love.
You, me - we’re all Shamrock Love.
I was born in Dublin and first moved to Copenhagen in 1995. Today, I live on Bornholm with my Danish husband Martin and our daughter Maebh.
I work as a marketing copywriter and strategist, usually from home, and from time to time you’ll find me behind the bar at Søllings Bodega, one of the stops on our Bornholm route.
Looking back, it’s funny how something that started as a bit of craic between friends has grown into something much bigger. But the core of it hasn’t really changed.
It’s still about bringing people together, having a bit of craic, and doing something good along the way.
Shamrock Love is a non-profit organization, registered with the Danish fundraising regulator (CVR: 35624473). Read about Shamrock Love’s privacy policy here.