Dublin footballers brave chilly charity challenge

Dublin People 22 Nov 2015
Dean Rock, Sinead Finnegan, Jason Sherlock and Denis Bastick prepare to get freezin’ for a reason. Photo by Marc O’Sullivan

DUBLIN football champs Dean Rock, Denis Bastick, former player Jason Sherlock and Dublin Ladies star Sinead Finnegan have joined forces with Special Olympics Ireland to call on people to get freezin’ for a reason this December.

The GAA stars were on hand to help launch the charity Polar Plunge fundraiser, which is taking place at the Forty Foot in Sandycove on December 12.

The unique event will see plungers enjoy an icy dip at the well-known bathing spot while raising money for Special Olympics athletes.

To encourage people to get in the mood for plunging, the three players, along with Sherlock, who is now involved in the Dublin management set-up, enjoyed their own icy dip at the iconic bathing area.

There, they joined Special Olympics athlete Keith Butler, from Walkinstown, who won gold in the 800-metre freestyle event at the recent World Summer Games in Los Angeles.

Speaking at the launch, Special Olympics ambassador Jason Sherlock said: “This is a really great and fun event that I hope the people of Dublin will get behind. Ice-baths are common in our sport but this event is a much better way to get ‘freezin’ for a reason! I would encourage everyone to sign up today at specialolympics.ie/polarplunge and help raise funds for Ireland’s most inspiring athletes.”

It is hoped the event will raise thousands of euros for Special Olympics athletes. Separate plunges are also taking place in seven other locations around the country this December as part of a fundraising drive to support the organisation.

Fellow ambassador Dean Rock, who played a vital role in helping the Dubs to All Ireland glory this summer, said: “We came here today and took the plunge for Special Olympics. The Forty Foot is a really iconic place and what better reason to come and take a dip this December in aid of Special Olympics Ireland?

“The event on December 12 will be great fun too and a nice way to start the Christmas season so sign up today.”

Special Olympics Ireland Fundraising Co-ordinator, Sarah Joyce, said she is hopeful of a strong turn-out for the event, which will see the first plungers taking their icy dip at midday on Saturday December 12.

“We are calling on all local sporting clubs, community groups – scouts, guides, swim clubs and local businesses – in the region to get involved and help raise funds for Special Olympics,” she said.

Those interested in signing up for the Polar Plunge can register at www.specialolympics.ie/polarplunge. Registration costs €15 and plungers are asked to raise an additional €35 which goes directly to supporting athletes with intellectual disabilities.

Plungers who raise more than €50 will also receive a complimentary ‘Ice Cool’ Polar Plunge t-shirt.

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