Swimamile...and thanks!

[Dakar Gal]

On the recent MMMMT weekend it got leaked (Thanks Linda!) that I was partaking in a charity event called "swimamile". As you can guess this involves me having to swim a mile (64 lenghts of 25m pool) to complete the task. Not being an experienced swimmer - Im not even sure I can swim that lenght, but hopefully there will be lifeguards, on duty. And thanks to a load of you at the MMMMT run, I cant back out now!
Seriously though, thanks for your support. And just to give you a background on the event, so you know what you have donated your hard earned cash towards, I thought Id post some details here.

The charity is called "Ian Daly -Swim a Mile with a Smile". A colleague of mine at work, Brian Daly and his wife lost their young son Ian to cancer in 2003. This inspired them to run this event to raise money for both Crumlin childrens hospital, and Barretstown -a center for children with terminal illnesses. The website is http://swimamile.webnode.com/

A small extract from the site - A letter from Brian and Laura about their son Ian. After reading this, I signed up for the event.

When our son Ian, age 9 was diagnosed with a brain tumour in January 2002 our whole lives fell apart. We were thrown into what seemed to be a black hole. So deep, we just couldn’t see a way out. We were terrified, our little boy, our family, shattered. There had been no warnings of what was about to happen.

One Wednesday evening he became unwell and by the Sunday after several hospital visits, he was diagnosed with a very rare and aggressive brain tumour. Only the week previously he had been swimming and happily playing with his pals He underwent a seven hour operation on the Monday morning and was left fighting for his life in the intensive care unit of Beaumount Hospital. Ian spent the next four weeks here in an induced coma. This was followed by nine months of chemotherapy and radiotherapy on St. John’s Ward, Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin to try and kill off any remaining cancer cells. As if this wasn’t hard enough Ian also had to endure daily intensive physio-therapy as he had lost the power on his right side as a side effect of the tumour.

Ian got through all this with the bravest attitude you could wish someone to have. He even found time to encourage other kids that were going through the same torturious experiences. He touched the hearts of his doctors and nurses and his physiotherapists so deeply. He even returned to school and was a source of such encouragement to his pals and teachers alike that his memory will live forever.

Ian became ill again on June 16th 2003 and following another M.R.I. scan the tumour was found to have returned, this time it was inoperable. Five weeks later, our precious son Ian died, on July 24th 2003. He was 11.

 

[Ravenbyrne]

Nothing to be embarrassed about it being leaked, after reading Brian's and Laura's letter I can see why you wanted to get involved and try to help other children with similar illnesses.

I, for one, am glad that I over heard Linda's comments and Geraldine and I were only too delighted to donate.


We all, at some stage moan about our own difficulties but when you see what these brave children are going through it puts our own lives into perspective.

Orla, maybe you could set-up a pay pal account on the site to make it easy for others that may wish to donate.

Best of luck with your training and if you want to borrow some inflatable arm bands just give us a shout.

 

[Jockser]

Fair play Orla

As a parent I don't know how you'd cope with something like that. I don't think I would......

 

[Jaws100]

As a parent I don't know how you'd cope with something like that. I don't think I would......

You would.............."eventually"............after several years......but always on your mind forever more

 

[Ogmios]

Mrs Og here,

Orla you're most welcome.
Good luck with it.

and bump

 

[GSless Girl]

Very best of luck Orla, every cent counts towards helping these wonderful charities & hosptials do the great work they do supporting the children and families.

 

[The Foolish Fellow]

SWIM

GOOD CAUSE.

 

[Hairnet600]

show me the donate button so

 

[Ogmios]

show me the donate button so

Good on ya

Orla,
you could whip up funds if you can get on mycharity.ie
or
a paypal account works too - it was Really Helpful to me when i was fund raising for the Scoots to the Sahara gig.

and Bump

 

[Dakar Gal]

Ok, if anyone wants to make a donation for this charity, they can send money to my paypal account. orla dot mcclean At gmail dot com

I wasnt fishing for more donations - but any sent will be gratefully added to the pot. Dont forget to send as a "gift" so that paypal dont take most of it in fees.

Thanks!

Orla
(still only managing 30 lengths max.)

 

[Jockser]

show me the donate button so

Give it to me on Sunday & I'll make sure Orla gets it

 

[PeterNI]

Give it to me on Sunday & I'll make sure Orla gets it

 

[Ogmios]

get it. got it? good!







Bump

 

[Hairnet600]

Give it to me on Sunday & I'll make sure Orla gets it

 

[Hairnet600]

how long does it take (not continuous is it)

 

[Dakar Gal]

how long does it take (not continuous is it)

Bloody forever!

Just a quick note to say thanks to everyone who has dropped a few quid in my pay pal account. Your generosity is much appreciated.

 

[Ravenbyrne]

Well Orla......................

are ya still swimming

 

[Dakar Gal]

Done!

Job done!

I managed the mile in about 40 minutes - which I was quite happy with. With your help I put 330 Euro in the pot for Barretstown and Crumlin Childrens hospital. I will let you know the total raised when I get it.

And thanks again for all your support.

I was v tired afterwards, but rewarded myself on Monday with some time in Mondello!

 

[Aidan1150]

Well done Orla.

 

[Daithi]

I was v tired afterwards, but rewarded myself on Monday with some time in Mondello!

Well done ! Any vids to go with that pic??