COPE Galway has launched its 26th annual Christmas Day Swim and the local charity is calling on all Galwegians to once again don the togs and make a splash in order to raise much needed funds.
The swim will take place at Blackrock, Salthill on Christmas Day from 10am to 12pm. Each year, hundreds make the event part of their Christmas morning tradition - meeting friends and neighbours and taking the plunge together.
COPE Galway work with more than 650 adults and 300 children each year, who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, assisting and supporting them to find a place to live. Meanwhile more than 370 women and 220 children are provided with assistance including a place of refuge due to suffering domestic violence in their own homes. In addition to these services, COPE deliver more than 50,000 meals on wheels to older people in Galway city and county.
Fundraising Manager at COPE Galway David Muldoon, says money raised from the swim will go towards keeping these vital services in the area’s of homelessness, domestic violence and for older people in operation. “The swim has become a tradition for many Galwegians on Christmas Day and this year we are celebrating 26 years of the event. By signing up and coming out on the day you are helping to provide food, warmth and vital support to people who are going through difficult times in their lives. People who have been affected by homelessness, domestic violence and isolation. All funds raised through the swim go towards helping people locally which makes is a real Galway event.”
Registration for the COPE Galway Christmas Day Swim costs €10. Log onto www.copegalway.ie/swim or call 091-778750. More information about COPE Galway’s services can be found at www.copegalway.ie
