Get freezing in Youghal Quay at the annual Christmas Day Charity Swim

 

It coming to that time of the year again when swimmers in Nenagh and district freeze themselves to their bones to raise money for worthy causes – by jumping into Lough Derg on Christmas Day.

So, calling on all bold and brave people to take a dive at Youghal Quay for the annual Christmas Day Swim, which over the years has raised tens of thousands of euro for local charities and worthy causes.

The swim this year is being held to raise funds for three local organisations doing great work in the community,  the Tipperary branch of Living Links, the Tipperary branch of Parkinson's Association of Ireland and Teach Saoirse,  Nenagh, the Respite Centre for North Tipperary run by Enable Ireland.

The organising committee are currently distributing sponsorship cards to prospective swimmers and have urged as many people as possible to take part, thereby helping to raise the maximum amount possible for the three organisations. Anyone who wants a card can get one from any member of the committee.

Sunny weather last year brought record crowds to  the swim, an event that in itself is a great social and festive occasion, with side attractions such as music and servings of  stimulating hot beverages to restore heat to post-swim frozen bodies.

The event raised a massive €17,600 last year, and the organisers are hoping to raise even more in the upcoming event.

 

Parkinson's Association

The Tipperary Branch of Parkinson's Association has said it is most appreciative  for being chosen among the three groups to receive funds from this year's swim.

The branch Chairperson is Nenagh man, Michael Burke, who himself  was diagnosed with Parkinson's at the age of 57.

Symptoms include loss of smell, difficulty tying shoe laces, closing buttons, slowness or shuffling when walking, fatigue, depression, falling, mood swings, and sleep disruption. There is no cure for Parkinson's Disease but it can be controlled by medication. It is estimated that there are over 9,000 people living with Parkinson's in Ireland.

The Parkinson's Association of Ireland is a registered charity, yet receives no Government funding. The association has support groups in Nenagh, Roscrea, Thurles and Clonmel and is appealing to those with Parkinson's and their families to support the swim in order to raise as much funds as possible.

 

Living Links

Living Links Tipperary said they were also delighted to be receiving funds from the swim. The organisation, which provides services nationwide, was founded by Cloughjordan native Michael Egan. Living Links does great work in providing outreach and support services for those bereaved by suicide.

Like its many other branches around the country Living Links Tipperary works to  increase awareness and understanding of suicide and encourages those bereaved by suicide to establish and foster an ongoing support group among themselves. For details see the organisation's website: www.livinglinks.ie

 

 

Teach Saoirse, Nenagh

Enable Ireland has been providing family support and respite services in North Tipperary since 1997. The main purpose of this service is to provide the child or young adult with a disability with a positive and rewarding experience while at the same time providing the primary carer with a break. Enable Ireland currently provides family support and respite services for 132 children and their families in North Tipperary. In the last ten years the focus of the service has evolved from the home where the emphasis is on meeting personal care and programme/therapy needs to community based activities such as accessing sports and recreational activities, after school and activity clubs. There is also a number of families who have identified a need for residential respite. As part of this development, Enable Ireland has recently opened Teach Saoirse residential respite house at Joe Daly Road, Nenagh,  to provide a break for families from providing continual care and assistance to children and adults with disabilities.

 

The swim on Christmas Day starts at 11am and there will be parking facilities provided locally.