Swim for a Mile raises over €15,000 for Children’s Health Foundation

October 25, 2023

Swim Ireland were thrilled to present the Children’s Health Foundation with a cheque for a whopping €15,229 raised through the 2023 Swim for a Mile Challenge (SFAM). The donations will help sick children receiving care in Children’s Health Ireland hospitals and urgent care centres at Crumlin, Temple Street, Tallaght and Connolly.

Children’s Health Foundation was created in 2019, with the mission of “working together to provide world-class facilities, research and compassionate, loving care for every sick child in Ireland”. These values were clear to see on the day! The team of support staff bracing a cold, windy Dublin to cheer on our two superstars. No, not the two Olympic athletes in attendance, but Children’s Health Ireland patients Emily and Rueben. Both were cheered on by the kindest staff and their loving family, as they stole the show!

Emily and Rueben, two swimming superfans, got the chance to catch up with two-time Olympic Swimmer Shane Ryan and Olympian and recent European Under 23 Double Champion Ellen Walshe. They shared high fives, laughs, and some of their medals with both Emily and Rueben. It was great seeing our Olympians inspiring the younger generation as they now prepare for a busy season of racing ahead with sights set firmly on the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

Children’s Health Foundation’s mission is one that resonated with the generous people taking part in Swim for a Mile 2023. Swim for a Mile is an annual 12-week programme, run by Swim Ireland, aiming to get people back into the pool. The goal is to complete a mile swim while also raising money for charity. This year, almost 1000 participants across 11 events and the virtual challenge, in all corners of Ireland. The programme was heavily affected by the pandemic, with previous years boasting over 30 events. That said, this is the second-highest amount raised by the programme in its history.

Finally, a massive shout-out to the Sport Ireland National Aquatic Centre! Not only do they run the biggest SFAM event in the country, but they also generously provided both Emily and Rueben with Family Passes to their ever-popular AquaZone. The perfect family day out, AquaZone provides accessible facilities to all right in the heart of the Sport Ireland Campus in Dublin. We look forward to welcoming Emily and Rueben to the Sport Ireland Campus soon to enjoy a great day out with their families.

That closes the book on this year’s Swim for a Mile story. It has been an excellent year raising vital funds for Children’s Health Foundation, with so many participants rediscovering their love for the water. We hope to see many new faces in 2024 at our events, keep an eye on our website for more details with bookings opening this December!

 

About Children’s Health Foundation

Children’s Health Foundation are committed to supporting the patients and their families who attend Children’s Health Ireland hospitals and urgent care centres in Temple Street, Crumlin, Connolly and Tallaght. Children’s Health Foundation ensures every sick child has the very best chance. Raising vital funds to purchase life-saving equipment and provide essential patient and parental supports to making ground-breaking, paediatric research possible.  For more information on Children’s Health Foundation, visit www.childrenshealth.ie