WHILE freshwater swimming at this time of year is normally the perserve of Newtownbutler folk taking part in the traditional Galloon swim on New Year’s Day, this year Belcoo folk are going to beat them to it!
The Belcoo footballers are rowing in behind the Christmas ‘morning’ (12.30pm) sponsored swim for, ‘Together for Sam’, starting from Blacklion Pier.
This is the 20th year of the swim and, each year, there is a chosen charity, as event co-organiser Ena McGinley explained.
“In fact, we have done it so often that we have often ‘doubled’ up in charities, for instance, we have given the proceeds to cancer research/treatment two of three times.”
There could be as many as 70 brave souls jumping into the freezing waters of Lough Mac Nean, but the organisers could do with more.
Indeed, with the local GAA club showing interest, that may well be the case.
“They asked if they could connect with us, and of course we said we would be delighted to have them. There are 20-25 of them coming on the day.”
And, given the fact the swim attracts around 300 spectators, Blacklion Pier should be a huge attraction on Christmas Day.
For those who have braved the cold, there will be ‘hot toddies’ available in The Bush Bar to stave off a cold.
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