Peter’s Atlantic dips for very good cause
A 65-YEAR-OLD north Sligo man is jumping into the Atlantic every day this month – for a very good cause. Peter and Fiona Devlin’s lives were turned upside down when, on January 31, 2020, he was diagnosed with motor neurone disease. Motor neurone disease is a disease that affects the brain and spinal cord. It can affect the way you walk, talk, eat, drink and breathe. Peter Devlin had been fully fit and active. Living near Grange since 2001, he is originally from a rural area outside Hilltown in Co. Down. He’s a farmer at heart with a huge love of the outdoors.
He is married to Fiona since 2001 and has three children – Aoife, 18, Orla, 16, and Oisín, 14. His three children are all passionate about playing with St Molaise Gaels GAA Club and very active in the local community.
After the shocking diagnosis, the first light in the darkness was a visit from Eithne, a specialist nurse from the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association. She brought hope, kindness and great listening. Eithne and the IMNDA have continued to support Peter.
The IMNDA is the only organisation of its kind providing care and support to people with motor neurone disease, along with their families, friends and carers. It mostly relies on public fundraising for the salaries of its specially trained nurses and for research.
There is no cure for motor neurone disease, but much can be done to slow the progression and to manage symptoms.
Despite his situation, Peter decided to give something back and took on the task of jumping into the sea every day for the month of January to raise money for IMNDA – a daunting challenge at this time of the year.
Peter said: “I am delighted to be well enough to fundraise for the IMNDA by going for a crazy dip in the freezing wild Atlantic every day in January.” He has set a challenge of attempting to raise €30,000 and is well on the way to achieving that. He has already raised over €25,000.
Fiona is full of admiration for her husband. She said: “I admire Peter’s ability to live with MND one day at a time, to live as fully as he can. It was a brave decision to go public with the fundraiser as he hadn’t told many people his diagnosis, and it leaves him a bit exposed. But one of his strengths has always been to bring hope and faith in the human spirit to any situation.” As for Peter, he is overwhelmed by people’s support and generosity since the fundraiser began. He has heard from old friends and new, from people in Spain, Germany, England, Scotland, Australia and the US.
He said he has come to look forward to getting into the sea every day for the burst of energy it gives him.
He also said he is hugely grateful for every euro donated for the IMNDA to help them bring hope and life to so many.
Local county councillor and family friend Marie Casserly said: “Peter is helping so many people who are battling this disease in so many ways, not just financially but emotionally as well. “He has such a positive attitude to life and he is an inspiration to us all particularly during these difficult times. He lifts everyone he comes in contact with.”
To help out with Peter’s fundraiser, visit www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/11395360_peter-devlin---jumping-in-for-mnd-in-january-.html/ or search for “Peter Devlin – Jumping in for MND in January” on Google.