DJ to swim from Poolbeg to Forty Foot for Special Olympics athletes

A RADIO presenter with 98FM is to swim from Poolbeg Lighthouse to the Forty Foot in Dún Laoghaire this month to raise vital funds for Special Olympics Ireland.

Brian Maher will complete the 10km swim across Dublin Bay on Sunday, September 16, as part of a fundraising initiative to raise €10,000 to help Irish athletes make it to Abu Dhabi for next year’s World Games in March. 

Special Olympics Ireland have gone live with a number of initiatives to raise money to cover the cost of sending Irish athletes to the games. The full cost to Special Olympics of preparing and sending one athlete to the event is €5,000, which covers sports training, travel, uniforms, medical expenses and equipment.

Brian has set himself a target of raising €10,000 in donations which would cover the full costs of getting two Irish athletes to the World Games.

Speaking at the launch of the Big Swim, Brian commented: “It’s going to be intense. I’ll spend about five hours in the water but I know that as soon as I get to the other side, it will be worth it. 

“Helping these athletes fulfil their dreams is something I feel passionate about and I’m glad that I can play my part in getting two athletes to Abu Dhabi. Right now, my training consists of three swims a week – two in the sea and one in the pool – and then two days in the gym working on my strength and conditioning.”

Matt English, CEO at Special Olympics Ireland, stated: “The World Games are a once in a lifetime opportunity for our athletes and to represent their country on the international stage as part of Team Ireland is such an honour. I am very grateful to Brian and the team at 98FM for backing our athletes. Brian has set himself a huge challenge. To be in the water for that amount of time is going to be very tough but I know Brian and once he sets his mind to something, he’ll achieve it.” 

Special Olympics Ireland and 98FM are calling on the public to donate to Brian’s Big Swim. Donations of €4 can be made by texting the word ‘Athlete’ to 50300.

You can follow Brian’s training progress for the Big Swim on his show, ‘The Fix’, Monday to Thursday evenings, from 7pm, on 98FM.