The Clare Champion Clare news, sport, entertainment and local notes
THE man who has led a fundraising swim that has raised tens of thousands of euros for local charities is set to hang up his goggles.
This August, Lahinch native Pat Conway will lead the 50th annual fundraising Lahinch to Liscannor Swim and after that will call it a day.
Pat started this swim way back in 1972 and has organised, fundraised and swam it for the past 49 years.
This year’s crossing, taking place on August 7, will be his 50th swim and final year swimming across the bay.
Pat is a well known member of the local community and fondly known by friends and family as The Whale acknowledging his love of the water and swimming accomplishments going back decades.
Pat started the Liscannor Swim as a fundraiser for the Friends of Ennistymon Hospital. From here, his efforts (and stamina) increased and he started training to swim the English Channel.
His training consisted of swimming over and back to Liscannor twice a day followed by a big steak dinner.
Pat has continued to swim across the bay every year since and has fundraised thousands of euros (and pounds) for local charities.
The aim this year is to help Pat go out with a bang and raise a whooping €20,000 for the Burren Chernobyl Project.
Anyone swimming in the event is helping in the fundraising effort and Pat will be visiting local residences and businesses looking for sponsorship as the big day approaches.
Anyone that would like to donate can do so at the following link
