The Frances Thornton Memorial Galway Bay Swim in aid of Cancer Care West was officially launched on Saturday 23 May on board L.E Orla which was stationed at Galway Docks.
With close to 100 swimmers taking part this year it is now one of Ireland’s biggest and longest one day swims. The organisers hope to raise €100,000 this year to mark the 10th anniversary of the swim.
Starting from Auginish in Co. Clare and finishing at Blackrock Diving Tower in Salthill, the swim is a distance of roughly 13 kilometres.
Speaking at the launch, Brian Thornton Director of Cancer Care West said “”The swim started with 3 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 from year on year and now, entering its 10th year, there will be over 70 swimmers, 80 boats and a few hundred volunteers. The event has raised over €500,000 and this year we are hoping to raise €100,000 to mark the tenth anniversary. 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.”
“It was very fitting that that the L.E Orla was the venue for this years press launch, given the many volunteers of the Galway maritime community that give up their time year in year out. Without them, the event wouldn’t be possible,” concluded Brian.
The Frances Thornton Memorial Galway Bay Swim will take place on Saturday, 25th July.
For more information log onto www.facebook.com/