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So far I have raised: This fundraising page is now completed and it is no longer possible to sponsor this fundraiser via this fundraising page. |
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My Personal Message Hello,Thanks for visiting my fundraising page. On the 9th of August 2008 I swam across Galway Bay as part of the Frances Thornton Memorial Galway Bay Swim in aid of Cancer Care West. The event has been named in honour of Frances Thornton who passed away recently from cancer after a long battle with the disease. Her son, Kevin Thornton, along with Ronan Collins, are to thank for organising the swim across the bay. I was given special permission to take part in the event while raising money for a separate charity: Link Community Development. In respect to the organiser's cause I'm giving 25% of all donations to Cancer Care West, and the remaining 75% will go to LCD. The swim was roughly 13 kilometres across the bay. 18 swimmers in total set off from Co. Clare in the morning. It was a great atmosphere and some sight looking across the bay at the swim that lay ahead. Salthill in Galway was a long long way away. It was windy the day of the swim so it was a bit choppy out in the middle of the bay. Beforehand, I'd imagined that during the swim, every time I looked up I'd see Salthill. No chance! For about two and a half hours all you can see is water and the support boat beside you (Thanks to Barry Waters). A few times I started swimming towards the Aran Islands but Barry put me back on track. Thankfully jellyfish weren't a problem. I saw maybe a hundred but didn't get stung at all. Swimming at a steady pace close behind two other swimmers (Kate & Martin) most of the swim seemed comfortable, except for the last few kilometres. I was shattered near the end, and Salthill looked so close, but it just didn't get any nearer for a long time. I felt better when even Ronan Collins, the Irish Open Water Swimming Champion said he had to stop three times in the last kilometre. It took me 3 hours and 22 minutes to swim from Co. Clare to Salthill in Galway and it's never felt so good walking onto dry land. So far I've raised 1,000 so thanks a million to everyone who's helped out. Donations can still be made on this page for the next three months. The Link Community Development charity is a very worthy cause and I'd appreciate your support in helping me to raise funds for this charity. Please read a few words about the charity I've chosen to support below. You can donate using the "sponsor me now" button below via credit or debit card. You can be assured that your transaction on the mycharity.ie website is very secure. You will automatically receive an e-mail from me thanking you for your support, and acknowledging the amount of your donation. Any donation no matter how small is hugely appreciated. Thanks for your support, Art |
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About my charity Link Community Development (LCD) is an organisation working in Ethiopia, Ghana, Malawi, South Africa and Uganda towards improving education for children, giving them a chance to escape the poverty into which they have been born. LCD’s vision is of a future where children are given a chance to flourish and fulfil their potential. We believe that education is a basic human right and fundamental to breaking the cycle of poverty. Our mission is to improve the potential of disadvantaged people in Africa to gain meaningful employment by sharing and developing appropriate skills through education and training. In Ireland, LCD links schools with schools in Africa, allowing pupils, teachers and communities to exchange information and ideas and facilitating the Irish school to support the African school in its development. LCD in Ireland also sends Irish teachers to work in African schools and communities to share skills and support school improvement. “There is perhaps nothing more important than the education of our young people. It is through access to quality education that young people can develop to their full potential and extend their opportunities in life.” The Most Reverend Desmond Tutu, Patron of LCD Click here for more information |
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My Online Sponsors to Date
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