The Frances Thornton Memorial Galway Bay Swim in aid of Cancer Care West will take place on Saturday, July 23.
Now in its 11th year and with close to 100 swimmers taking part this year, it is now one of Ireland’s biggest and longest one-day swims.
Starting from Auginish in County Clare and finishing at Blackrock Diving Tower in Salthill, the swim is a distance of roughly 13 kilometres.
Safety is a priority for the swim, so each year the event reaches out to the maritime community in the west to support the swim through boat support.
Each swimmer needs a boat to follow their swim and organisers are again this year asking any boat owners to get in contact with the hope they can volunteer their services on the day.
Last year’s milestone was turned into a documentary by renowned Galway filmmaker and former All-Ireland winning footballer, Pat Comer.
David O’Donnell of Cancer Care West said: “Last year was really a milestone year for the swim, the Thornton family and Cancer Care West. The documentary really captures the essence of the swim and everyone that takes part in a voluntary or swimming capacity. This event is so important to Cancer Care West and we are already looking forward to July and this year’s swim.”
Brian Thornton, Director of Cancer Care West, said: “The swim started with three guys wanting to swim the bay and to raise some money for a service that helped Frances so much when she was sick.
“The event has grown year-on-year and now, this year there will be over 80 swimmers, 80 boats and a few hundred volunteers. The event has raised over €600,000.
“The Cancer Care West respite facility offers such a great service to people who have cancer and to their families and friends supporting them through illness.”
To watch the documentary, visit the website.
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