‘DIP IN THE NIP’ RAISES A WHOPPING €28,449 FOR HOPE CENTRE
ENNISCORTHY’S HOPE Cancer Support Centre recently received a cheque for almost €30,000, the proceeds of the fourth annual Dip in the Nip that took place in Rosslare Strand in August.
Organised by Mayglass woman Eileen Rowe, the event attracted over 350 women who bared all to enjoy an early morning swim in the sea. A cheque for €26,854.27 was presented to the team in the Hope Centre recently but Eileen explained that, as is usually the case, further donations were still coming in and the final total actually donated was €28,449 following three more very generous donations.
‘With that final figure, we’re looking at approximately €80,000 raised for the centre in four years so the aim for next year is to break the €100,000.’
She acknowledged that the Hope Centre was very reliant on donations and pointed out that, unfortunately, cancer was something that was becoming more prevalent. Eileen first started the Dip in 2014, shortly after losing a family member to cancer. The funding will go towards the day-to-day running of the centre and the therapies it provides.
The success of the event, Eileen said, was not something that others envisaged but she had always been confident that it would grow in popularity. For her, the event not only aims to raise funds for charity, but also to empower women.
‘ The numbers have grown every year. You experience a high when you do it; it pushes women out of their comfort zone but when they’ve done it they think ‘what else can I do that I think I can’t?’ There is a feel-good factor and a general sense of empowerment about it.’
She added: ‘I always felt it was an event that people would embrace and that it could be a big movement. It’s the cheapest, most fun morning you’ll ever have!’
Eileen’s next challenge is to hit €100,000 in funds for the centre but, after that, there is plenty of ambition to expand the event even further.
She expressed her thanks to all those organisations who had supported the event on the day including: Stable Diet, Crimewatch, the Gardai, Rosslare Sport and Recreation Centre, the Red Cross, Paula Malone Carty, Trax Music, Button and Spoon, Natural Health Store, Si Jolie, Karoo Farm Shop, Kelly’s Hotel, Wild and Native, Tides, SuperValu Rosslare Harbour, Centra Rosslare Strand, Ballycross Apple Farm, all of the volunteers and marshals, and everyone who helped in any way.