Swimmers raise €28,000 for Temple Street

A GROUP of swimmers who braved the high seas of the Atlantic during August met recently with a representative from Temple Street Children’s Hospital to officially hand over the fruits of their labour.
The 13 swimmers of the Swim Aran group swam from Inisheer beach to Doolin Pier on August 21 in extremely tough conditions, under the watchful eye of 18 kayakers, Doolin Coastguard and other support boats.
Participants included Ennis residents Pat Finn, Adrian Cosgrove, Niall O’Farrell, Kevin O’Farrell, Cian O’Sullivan, Mikey Milane, Donal McCarthy, Seamus Mulcahy and Aoife Cosgrove, Shannon man Colm Fitzgerald, Linda Clarke from Dublin and Limerick swimmers Paul Kearney and Deirdre Kearney.
Aisling Andrews, fundraising coordinator from Temple Street, accepted the cheque for €28,184, which was raised by a number of events and collections in the run-up to the almost seven-mile swim, saying the Swim Aran team and all involved should be very proud of their achievement.
Ms Andrews explained Temple Street has recently been appointed as the national centre for paediatric brain and spinal surgery for all children in Ireland up to the age of six and the money donated by the Swim Aran team will go towards funding the specialised operating theatre and high-tech equipment for the unit.
“Already hundreds of children have been treated in this unit and they then recuperate in an environment, which is geared exclusively towards supporting children and their families. The equipment purchased from these funds will be used for the benefit of patients over and over again,” added Ms Andrews.
Mayor of Clare Councillor Christy Curtin congratulated the swimmers on raising the funds, which he said would go towards the further development of a “vitally important facility”.
“I also wish to acknowledge the generosity of members of the public, who showed their support to the swimmers and helped ensure that this fundraising swim raised much needed funds for this year’s chosen charity, Temple Street Children’s Hospital,” the mayor added.