COPE Galway has launched a #SwimWhereYouAre Christmas event, which will take place over 10 days from 21-30 December.
The event is a creative version of the traditional Christmas Day Swim fundraiser. “We’re asking Galwegians at home and abroad to register online and we’ll post out a t-shirt. You can swim at your nearest beach and post a photo on social media of you braving the cold winter waters,” explains Community Fundraiser, Lynia O’Brien.
Over the past 30 years, thousands of people from Galway and beyond have gathered with friends and family at Salthill on Christmas Day to take part in the annual swim and raise funds for COPE Galway. While the 2020 Christmas Swim will be different so that we can keep one another safe, the local organisation wants to give everyone the opportunity to connect with each other, create good memories and make a difference in the lives of people in Galway who need the support of COPE Galway’s services.
Lynia continued, “With so many people unable to travel home this Christmas, we are hoping that this is something families can do together to stay connected – even though they are apart.”
The Christmas Swim raises vital funds that the charity relies on every year. Last year almost €50,000 was raised at the event and over half of that was from bucket collections on the day.
“Although we can’t be together in Salthill on the day, shaking a bucket and handing out warm cups of tea, we are giving everyone an opportunity to continue their Christmas Swim tradition. We are also asking everyone who can, to sponsor a swimmer if you cannot swim yourself. You can participate and raise funds from anywhere in the world – and stay connected to Galway this Christmas,” said Lynia.
All funds raised by this event will help support COPE Galway’s services for people affected by homelessness, women and children experiencing domestic abuse, and support older people at risk of social and nutritional isolation in Galway.
To register and for further information please visit copegalway.ie/swim.
