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Dive in, it's the
Christmas swim
08.12.08
Leenan, Lisfannon and
Culdaff to hold charity dips
CHRISTMAS morning. A time for rising early to open
gifts, going to church and, if you’re up for it, a
time for plunging into the icy waters of the Swilly
at Lisfannon or Leenan. There’s nothing quite like
it for whetting the appetite ahead of the turkey and
ham. The Christmas morning swim is now a regular
feature on the packed calendar of local charity
fundraisers, and there’s even a New Year’s Day dip
for anyone that misses out on the Christmas one.
First up will be the hardy souls at Leenan, who take
the plunge at 10am sharp on Christmas morning.
Organiser Christine McGonigle is expecting around 60
people to take part and hopes to raise up to
€10,000. Around noon, more than 500 people will go
for a dip at Lisfannon.
At 2.30pm on New Year’s Day, Caratra beach in
Culdaff will be the venue as up to 200 people race
into the Atlantic for their first swim of the year,
all in the cause of charity, of course.
“We’re raising funds for the children’s ward and
neo-natal unit at Letterkenny hospital at Leenan as
well as local charities,” said Clonmany woman
Christine McGonigle. “It’s a great laugh and has
gone from strength to strength over the past 11
years. The coldest part is the waiting around on the
beach beforehand. It’s a matter of getting in and
out of the water as quickly as possible, and anyone
that tries to wade in just up to their knees will
get thrown in properly!”
Sue Doherty and Brideen King are organising a swim
at Lisfannon in aid of the special needs unit at
Scoil Íosagáin and they say that hot drinks – soup,
tea, hot chocolate and hot whiskey – will be
provided at Leenan and Lisfannon, and anyone
planning to participate should bring a dressing
gown, towel and plenty of warm clothes.
The Culdaff New Year’s Day swim has been going for
some 15 years. “We had more than 200 swimmers last
year, with Cancer Research and iCARE the main
charities to benefit,” said Brian Deeney, a member
of the organising committee. “Sponsor cards will be
distributed for the 2009 swim in the next couple of
weeks, and we’re really looking forward to it – some
people will even use the Christmas Day swims for a
warm up!”
If you’re interested in taking part in any of the
festive swims, contact Christine McGonigle (Leenan
swim) on 086 3593256; Sue Doherty (Lisfannon swim)
on 9362485 or Brideen King 9361652; or Brian Deeney
(Culdaff swim on New Year’s Day) on 9367283.
(Inishowen Independent) |
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