35th annual sea swim in Brrr-ay A ‘splash and dash’ on New Year’s Day
The 35th Bray Charities Sea Swim will take place in Bray on Monday, January 1, at noon.
‘ This is a remarkable flagship event in our calendar and has, over the last 34 years, raised €330,014 for many local worthy causes,’ said Bray Lions Club president Karl O’Broin.
He thanked the Esplanade Hotel for hosting the swimmers for this event. The swim will take place on the shore opposite the hotel.
Founder and event organiser John McEvoy said: ‘ The success of the swim is based on the generosity of the many thousands of swimmers who have taken part down the years.
‘With many of the swimmers turning out in fancy dress, this is always a very enjoyable and colourful community event and they love the challenge.’
Announcing his participation in the swim, Minister for Health Simon Harris said: ‘I have been taking part in the New Year’s Day swim for many years now and as always I am proud to be doing so.
‘ The Bray Charities Sea Swim is a wonderful event that has raised significant funds for a range of deserving causes and I would encourage everyone to consider getting involved and supporting the 2018 chosen charities.
‘ The annual swim has also become a great community event where friends old and new meet to greet one another at the start of the new year.’
The chosen charities for 2018 are Purple House, Bray Poor Relief Fund and Bray Lions Senior Citizens/Carers Fund.
Conor O’Leary of Purple House and Rev Baden Stanley of Bray Poor Relief fund encourage as many people as possible to take part in this important and long established fundraising event.
Bray Charities Sea Swim acknowledges and appreciates the participation and support of Simon Harris Minister for Health and John Brady TD.
Swimmers are needed to make this event a success for the chosen charities. Sponsorship cards are available from Quin’s Pharmacy on Quinsboro Road, or FHM Accountants to the rear of McDonald’s. Alternatively, call 086 8561888 or email brayswim@gmail.com.
All funds raised go 100 per cent to the charities, there are no costs deducted.
Over in Greystones, the traditional Christmas day dip will get going from 11 a.m. RUNNERS in Blessington will be starting the New Year on a high when they take part in the ‘Splash and Dash’ organised by Extreme Fitness.
The annual hike/run takes place at 11 a.m. on New Year’s Day and will see them run around the Blessington Lakes before taking a quick dip to round off the morning’s activity.
Organiser and fitness enthusiast Brian Phelan said that it’s a feel-good event and that it’s just a dip in the lake, not a challenging swim.
‘It’s a quick dip, like a ritual to start the new year off in a positive way. I did it one year with a friend and every year since then it has been growing in numbers,’ he said.
The free event is taking place simply to raise awareness of people with chronic illness but donations, if desired, will also be accepted.
The group will meet at Aldi, Blessington, at 11 a.m. and travel to the location in convoy.
For information contact Brian at 083 1447778.