AN 81-year-old Donegal man endeared himself to swimmers all through West Cork at the beginning of the week, as a part of a fundraiser for a psychological well being charity.
Paddy Conaghan included many standard West Cork bathing spots on his Ducking and Driving tour of Eire.
Elaine Grady, a household buddy, mentioned Paddy’s preliminary plan was to do a Christmas swim and lift some cash for the counselling service referred to as Gemma’s Legacy of Hope.
He got here up with the thought of driving round all of the seashores in Donegal, however no sooner was the van kitted out, than Paddy determined to go nationwide.
His first, modest fundraising goal of €1,000 was met in jig time. Then it made 10 occasions that quantity.
Now, he’s on €60,000 and is just midway by means of a journey that is because of be accomplished in mid to late February.
‘It’s unbelievable how a lot individuals are getting behind him,’ mentioned Elaine.
Paddy had supposed sleeping in his van however folks gained’t let him. The gives of help – and the donations – are pouring in.
Anybody who’d like to assist Paddy can converse to Elaine after 3.30pm on 087 6227026, and, to donate, go to the GoFundMe web page or Ducking and Driving on Fb.
Elaine mentioned Paddy was all the time a really robust and match man, having labored in tunnelling all his life. He used to do lots of hill climbing and biking, however needed to swap to swimming. Not having had a correct swim in almost 60 years, he needed to retrain himself to dive and swim.
Elaine mentioned the cash raised will make an enormous distinction to a small native charity that has three counsellors working with everybody, together with youngsters as younger as 5, 4 days every week.
Cllr Paul Hayes who joined the dippers at Broadstrand on Monday morning described Paddy as ‘essentially the most youthful and match 81-year-old I’ve ever met.’
‘Paddy’s initiative has definitely introduced a cheerfulness and heat to a often uninteresting and darkish month,’ he mentioned.
