24-hour charity swim raises €18,500 for St Luke’s Palliative Care Unit
Eileen Joyce and Mary B Brennan from St Luke's Hospital accept the cheque for €18,500 from event organiser Mark Devine
2A 24-HOUR sponsored swim in Bagenalstown has raised €18,500 for the Palliative Care Unit at St Luke’s Hospital in Kilkenny, smashing the organisers’ initial fundraising target.
The charity event, held on 1 August, saw swimmers take to the water continuously from midday Friday through to midday Saturday, with nearly 60 people swimming under the stars at midnight on Friday night in one of the event’s most memorable moments. Organiser Mark Devine said the response from the community was “nothing short of incredible” and far exceeded expectations.
“Originally we were thinking if we got €9,000 or €10,000, we’d be very happy, but then we reached €18,500 – it was huge!” Mr Devine said.
The event’s success was bolstered by overwhelming community support, with local businesses and volunteers ensuring that every cent raised went directly to the cause.
“We were asked about overheads, and there were none; that’s what probably made it work so well,” Mr Devine explained. “Everything from the lighting with GRT Hire to sponsorship of KCLR by three businesses in town and food sponsored by local restaurants and cafés: The Old Post Office, The Railway House, Birdcage Cafe, and Barrow Blend.”
Entertainment played a key role throughout the 24-hour period, with live music every hour from midday Friday through to midnight, and additional performances on Saturday morning.
“We had put out a notice to get entertainers for the 24-hour event and people were so generous with their time that we had a request for making multiple microphones available because four people offered to sing at the same time,” Mr Devine said.
The cheque for €18,500 was presented to St Luke’s Hospital representatives on 26 August, with Eileen Joyce, assistant director of nursing, and Mary B Brennan, clinical nurse specialist in palliative care, attending the presentation ceremony at the pool.
Perfect weather conditions throughout the 24-hour period helped create what Mr Devine described as a “truly magical” atmosphere, with strong community spirit evident from start to finish.
The organisers have already confirmed that plans are in motion for next year’s event, building on this year’s remarkable success.
