SOUTHSIDE swimmers of all abilities have helped raise almost
?¬8,000 for charities by swimming the equivalent length of over 24 laps of the M50 – or more than 1,100 kilometres.
The Swim the M50 challenge was hosted last month at four Dublin City Council Sports &
Fitness Centres including Ballyfermot and Markievicz on the Southside.
In Ballyfermot,
?¬1,520 was raised for Pieta House while swimmers at Markievicz collected a total of
?¬2,445 for Inner City Helping Homeless.
Money was also rasied for St Vincent’s Ward, Mater Foundation and Temple Street Hospital. And while the final count is not yet completed, the four charities are set for a combined windfall of at least
?¬7,965.14.
Markievicz Sports & Fitness Centre in Townsend Street was the overall winner in terms of distance with its swimmers lapping the M50 an amazing 11.5 times or a total distance of 516 kilometres.
“We got off to a fantastic start at 6.30am with 21 firemen and their friends from Tara Street station swimming the first M50 (45km) in just one and a half hours – and the momentum just kept going after that,
? said centre manager Shauna McIntyre.
“On behalf of everyone at the centre, I want to express our gratitude to all those who took part and their supporters.
“I’d also like to commend the boundless energy and enthusiasm of the people from Inner City Helping Homeless who supplied tea, coffee, sandwiches and a delicious assortment of cakes to one and all.
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The longest distance covered by one swimmer at Markievicz was 10km. The youngest swimmer to participate was aged just three while the oldest was 84.
Swimmers at Ballyfermot Sports & Fitness Centre went around the M50 4.4 times or a distance of 198 kilometres.
The longest distance covered by one swimmer was an impressive 2.5 kilometres. The youngest swimmer was just four and the oldest 78.
“There was a great buzz at the centre throughout the day, especially when the children from Viking Swim Club and our Halloweeen & Swim Programme took part,
? said centre manager Don Daly.
“On behalf of all the staff here at the centre, I’d like to express our gratitude to the swimmers and supporters alike.
“One of the adults told me that the M50 swim challenge was a great idea as it brought a togetherness to the community and everyone got to contribute towards a good cause.
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