Two Donegal women hope the Marble Hill New’s Day swim will put the North West Branch of the Parkinson’s Ireland charity on the map.
The little-known organisation has been confirmed by Doe Amateur Swimming Club as the beneficiary of the 2025 event.
The people who put Parkinson’s Ireland’s name forward were Bernice Alcorn and her friend Judith McKinley.
Both have been diagnosed with the condition and sang the praises of the North West branch of the charity which holds activities for members in Donegal and Sligo.
“I feel we are a forgotten charity and don’t get a lot of funding or publicity,” they told Donegal Daily.
“The Marble Hill New’s Day swim is a wonderful fun event. We asked the Doe Amatueur Swimming Club if we could be the funding group this year and, thankfully, they said yes. All the money collected on the day will go towards Parkinson’s Ireland North West Branch.”
The swim gets underway at 2pm.
You can register for the swim online here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfsSVVteQM46hrmTFz1v1-8hy9dsZN7vriulxoJsw8IdzRuow/viewform
Bernice and Judith have also set up a GoFundMe page for those who cannot make the New Year’s Day swim to make a donation. You can also donate via the following link: https://gofund.me/48cf1692
They also praised Scott in the No Barriers Foundation who provides therapy sessions for Parkinsons sufferers through the North West Branch.
The branch holds activities and information events for members in Donegal and Sligo.
They hope the New Year’s Day swim will raise awareness of the fact that an estimated 18,000 people in Ireland have Parkinson’s and that it’s the fastest growing neurological condition.
For up to date details of the swim, keep an eye on the Doe Amateur Swimming Club Facebook page.
To find out more about the North West Branch, please visit www.parkinsons.ie or call 1800 359359.
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