This article is from page 9 of the 2006-12-05 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 9 JPG
MORE than 20 plucky souls have volunteered to take a very long dip in a good cause.
The swimmers who are taking on the Shannon Challenge will attempt to swim the length of Ireland’s longest river – 213 miles.
Over five days, starting on December 11, swimmers of various standards will take to the pool in the Shannon Leisure Centre to do the swim in shifts.
The team will swim three sessions a day, making the challenge a “big commitment,” according to Liam Buckley, MD of Molex and co-ordinator of this year’s swim.
“Last year, we raised €18,750 for the St Vincent de Paul and the target this year is to raise €20,000. It’s a charity which is close to home and all the money raised is spent in the Midwest,” said Liam.
The swim team is made up mostly of men and women who either live or work in Shannon.
This is the fifth year of the challenge and, says Liam, the effort “is very well supported locally. There are about twelve companies in Shannon who are represented in the swim, so there’s great local enthusiasm about it.”
Because of the mammoth effort involved over an extended period, participants in the challenge have been training in the pool during their lunch hours or in the evening, whenever they get a chance.
Liam stresses that not all the swimmers are natural mermaids, or men.
“There are some strong swimmers and some not so strong but everyone involved is doing it to raise some money in a good cause,” he said.
While the challenge is well supported in Shannon, the team needs all the help it can get if the ambitious €20,000 target is to be met.
Anyone who would like to splash out can sponsor individual swimmers, or donate money to the St Vincent De Paul account. The appeal account number is 77773059 sort code 935247. The account is based at AIB Bank 106-108 O’Connell St, Limerick.