The 11th annual Frances Thornton Memorial Galway Bay Swim in aid of Cancer Care West which took place on Saturday last 23rd July attracted a total of 102 swimmers this year. Officially one of Ireland’s biggest and longest one day swims, the 102 swimmers swam the 13km across the bay to raise funds for Cancer Care West.
Starting from Auginish in Co. Clare and finishing at Blackrock Diving Tower in Salthill, the swim is a distance of roughly 13 kilometres.
“Every year we are just blown away by the levels of support from everyone in Galway and everyone who is linked to the swim. It is always such a special day and everyone that takes part, helps behind the scenes and runs the day makes this swim what it is. Conditions were a little tough with alot of jellyfish in the water this year- but there were no injuries and everyone thankfully finished and enjoyed the swim,” explained FionaThornton.
“The swim is one of our biggest fundraisers each year and every year it keeps getting better. Each swimmer, all the boat crew and just everyone who supports the swim has helped to fund our services and to help those affected by cancer,” said David O’Donnell Cancer Care West.
Brian Thornton remarked, “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. This year again, Kevin, Fiona, Claire and myself all took part which helps to mark the memory of Frances for us in a very special way. Cancer Care West offers such a great service to people who have cancer and to their families and friends supporting them through illness”
For all information log onto www.galwaybayswim.com. or connect on all social media platforms.