Getting ready for the 2019 Chernobyl swim event at Clogherhead

BABY it’s cold outside - and it’s so true!

But you will feel a warm glow of kindness and charity if you take part in the annual Chernobyl swim on St Stephen’s Day, 26 December 2019 at Clogherhead RNLI Lifeboat station. Swimmers enter the water at 12 noon, with registration beforehand from 11am.

Over 100 hardy swimmers brave the cool Irish sea at Clogherhead annually to raise funds for Chernobyl orphans, orphanages, specialised housing, transport, extra medical interventions, and recuperative breaks.

Local woman, Isobel Sanroma, has been working with the Chernobyl project for 25 years now, and regularly visits Belarus, devastated back in 1986 following the Chernobyl nuclear reactor disaster in The Ukraine. Toxic radioactive gases escaped from the burning reactor and swept across Belarus, leaving trails of humanitarian and medical disasters in its wake.

Through money raised in Drogheda and district since then, Isobel has been in a position to help children and orphans, bringing them to Ireland for restorative breaks or medical treatment. With the locally raised funds, a number of special initiatives for the orphans have been provided in Belarus through Chernobyl International.

‘None of this would be possible without the constant and unwavering support of the people of Drogheda, and particularly, those who support the annual Stephen’s Day swim, either through raising sponsorship, collecting money, providing refreshments, or making donations, and especially to the RNLI who have facilitated us here for many years,’ said Isobel. ‘Our ‘mascot’ Natasha, an orphan who has spent her life in institutions, but who has come to Drogheda for the past 20 years, will lead the swimmers into the water as usual. We are delighted that Natasha can join us again this year as it means such a lot to her, both mentally and physically. Thanks also to Adi Roche and the Chernobyl International team in Cork who have given me the opportunity to help the Chernobyl Children over the years.’

A group of adults with special needs from Vesnova, Belarus, visit Ireland every July, have now become familiar faces locally, as they attend a summer BBQ at the RNLI station and the Bellewstown Races!

Sponsorship cards are available from Isobel Sanroma (0871301398) or Padraig Rath (087-6784912) at the RNLI Lifeboat Station. Swimmers can register on the day for €20. Refreshments - hot tea & coffee, with sandwiches and cakes, available afterwards in the Lifeboat Station