Don the Galway Colours for the First Maroon and White Salthill Swim

Salthill will be awash with the Galway colours on Sunday, April 16th at 2pm for the first Maroon and White charity swim in aid of the Rahoon Newcastle GAA club and Galway Autism Partnership (GAP). The challenge to dip, dash or swim into Ladies beach is set to raise vital funds for both organisations, as they continue to foster inclusion and participation in sport and other healthy outdoor activities.

Local drum troupe Drumadore and retro DJ Flako will be on hand on the day to herald the start of the sea swim. Former Galway senior hurler and Rahoon Newcastle GAA Chairperson Tony Óg Regan joined forces with intermediate players Colin Hanbury, Stephen Kerr and Robert Early to launch the event.

Proceeds from the Maroon and White sea swim will also benefit the work of Galway Autism Partnership, a community-based charity dedicated to providing services and support to autistic people and their families living in Galway city and county.

For Tony, the Maroon and White swim is a chance to provide essential funds for the club, following the creation of a new pitch to facilitate their growing membership – which has tripled over the last five years - and to continue their many programmes for families throughout the year.

One such initiative - the All-Stars programme - was devised specifically for children with additional needs to learn fundamental movement skills in camogie and hurling. This ignited the spark to work with Galway Autism Partnership on the charity sea swim as, together, they focus on the value of inclusion.

“One of our club values is inclusivity,” says Tony.

“We want to provide a club that allows everyone to take part in our wonderful games of hurling, camogie and our many other community activities, like our All-Stars programme for children with additional needs. It is important for us to raise money so that we can continue to cater for our rapidly growing numbers.”

For Máire Bríd Ní Chonghaile, General Manager of Galway Autism Partnership, the Maroon and White charity sea swim “means the world to us.”

She is calling on young and old alike to take part in the event on April 16th for what will be a fun family day out. The proceeds GAP receive will go towards day-to-day activities including camps, clubs and vital therapeutic services for members and families.

“We are small charity, and this community effort means the world to us,” she says.

“Sometimes our members don’t have the opportunity to avail of regular clubs and activities. To be linked to this fundraiser provides great opportunities for our participants. Come out to Salthill and join in the Maroon and White swim on April 16th at 2pm. It’s going to be great fun and for two very worthy causes.”

Registration to the Maroon and White charity sea swim in aid of the Rahoon Newcastle GAA club and Galway Autism Partnership costs €25. For more information log on to www.rahoonnewcastle.ie

Photos by Clint Coen.