Celebrating 10 years of swim
THE Lough Gill Swim started ten years ago this year.
It was set up in memory of Neill Mc Garry, who passed away as a result of cancer on his 30th birthday, in the care of the Northwest Hospice.
This was a devastating time for the family and Neill’s uncle Paul wanted to keep his memory alive, as he was a funny, loving vibrant young man and should not be forgotten. And so began the Lough Gill swim journey.
The event was created by Paul (AKA Sam) McGarry and with his friend Kieran Fitzgerald. They swam the length of Lough Gill in October 2009. It was cold and they swam over rocks, got tangled up in weeds and got disorientated. With the assistance of one kayaker who provided them with food and water, they managed to finish, covered in cuts and bruises.
This was the beginning of the Lough Gill Swim.
This year is a significant milestone for the Lough Gill Committee as they will celebrate its 10th anniversary.
This event has gone from strength to strength over the last 10 years with €263,360.92 raised for the Northwest Hospice.
This single day event is one of the largest annual fundraising events for the Northwest Hospice.
The Northwest Hospice need over €1 million of fundraising each year to pay for their annual running costs, which are not covered by their HSE grant.
More than 90% of this currently comes from individuals in our community through donations, bequests, fundraising and sales. Corporate support also plays an important part in providing the service.
This year due to Covid-19 restrictions and in line with HSE guidelines it is not possible to run the event in the same way.
Organisers acknowledge many people are disappointed that open water swimming events have been cancelled this year but are asking you to support the Lough Gill Swim in a different way this year, in order to continue this essential fundraising.
Due to the restrictions and insurance it is not possible to run this event as normal. The organising committee have explored all options on how to do this.
However, to remember Neill in 2020 and to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the event, the committee have decided that only one swimmer will swim Lough Gill this year. The swimmer they have chosen is Lynsey Dunne. Lynsey is the only swimmer to have swam Lough Gill 10K for 9 consecutive years and is a member of the Lough Gill Swim Committee from the very start.
Lynsey started the Lough Gill journey and they feel that it is only fitting that Lynsey would mark the 10th anniversary.
Fundraising has always been the main objective and this year is no different. Organisers are inviting you to take part in a virtual swim event in 2020!
Swimmers are invited to swim from the Northwwest Hospice to the Irish Hospice Foundation Offices in Dublin and back (422km).
40 places will be available for swimmers to complete a 10km over the first two weeks in August.
Eleven places will be available for swimmers to complete a 2km during the same time.
This swim can be completed in a pool, lake or in the sea anywhere in the world and should be broken up into smaller swims. It is up to each swimmer to ensure that adequate safety is maintained for each swim regardless how long or short.
Each swimmer must register for their place on Active.com from May 24th at 4pm at a cost of €10 and commit to raising as much money as they can. You will receive a 10-year anniversary t-shirt and swim hat as well as some other goodies.
The committee are planning to recognise all these fundraising efforts as part of the online virtual stream of the event in August.