Young swimmers take on virtual Shannon challenge

Up to 50 young swimmers from Castlebar Swimming Club will take on an extraordinary challenge this coming Saturday, May 16 when they aim to swim the full equivalent of the River Shannon's 360 kilometres length in a single day.

The event, a community Swimathon hosted at Lough Lannagh Swimming Pool in Castlebar, will raise vital funds for the proposed Sunflower Children's Hospice for the West of Ireland, as well as supporting the continued development of youth sport within Castlebar Swimming Club.

Completed in relay format over the course of one day, the challenge will see young swimmers from eleven schools across the region take to the water together, supported by coaches, volunteers, and families. Some of the local schools taking part are St Joseph's Castlebar, St Gerard's DLS College Castlebar, Davitt College Castlebar, Sacred Heart Secondary School Westport, Gaelscoil na Cruaiche, Balla Secondary School, Snugboro Primary School, Gaelscoil Raifteirí, Castlebar Primary School, Breaffy National School and Ballyvary Primary School.

Families across the West of Ireland currently face long and difficult journeys to access specialist children's palliative and hospice care. The Sunflower Children's Hospice aims to change that, bringing compassionate, child-centred support closer to home for families navigating the most difficult moments imaginable. The swimmers of Castlebar Swimming Club chose to take on the full length of Ireland's longest river as a symbol of solidarity, to show families across the West that their community stands with them.

Seventy percent of all funds raised will go directly to the Sunflower Children's Hospice project, with the remaining thirty percent supporting youth sport, coaching, and community wellbeing through Castlebar Swimming Club, a fully volunteer-run organisation. The club's priority is to make a meaningful contribution to the hospice while also sustaining a positive and healthy environment for local young people.

“We are deeply moved by the generosity and determination of the young swimmers at Castlebar Swimming Club. The need for specialist children's hospice care in the West of Ireland is real and urgent, and it is the support of communities like this that brings the Sunflower Children's Hospice closer to becoming a reality,” said Martina Jennings, CEO of Mayo Roscommon Hospice.

“Every stroke these young people swim sends a powerful message to the families who need this service most, that they are not alone.” Marian English, who is the head coach of Castlebar Swimming Club, said the club incredibly proud of every single one of the young people taking part.

“They didn't just want to do a sponsored swim, they wanted to do something that truly meant something. Swimming the Shannon, every kilometre of it, in a single day, is their way of saying that this community cares. We hope people will get behind them and donate whatever they can,” said Ms English.

Every euro donated will make a real difference. Castlebar Swimming Club is encouraging members of the public, local businesses and community organisations to donate and share as widely as possible. The Swimathon is powered entirely by community spirit and every stroke the young swimmers take will represent commitment, compassion and solidarity with the children and families who need this care most.