Lough Lene Lovvies ready for another Swim in Pink
On Sunday 11 October the Lough Lene Lovvies will once again be braving the water of the famed Westmeath lake for the annual Swim in Pink, in aid of Breast Cancer Research.
Swim in Pink is in its sixth year and the charity event will see a shoal of swimmers taking the plunge for charity. Locally organised by Caroline Pilkington, the swim will take place at 1.00pm at the swimming spot near Collinstown.
Caroline, who has recently had treatment for Breast Cancer, says: “Last year we had about 30 brave ladies and one gentleman, it would be great to get a bigger crowd and more men this year!”
The swim is part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and encourages participants across the country to dip, swim, or splash in support of breast cancer research. It has won many awards and more than 5,000 swimmers have taken part, raising over €500,000 for life-saving research.
Caroline said last year's outing was a great success: “It was good fun and much enjoyed by everyone, especially the hot whiskey and sausages afterwards.”
All the funds raised go straight to The National Breast Cancer Research Institute in Galway, which has done amazing research into better diagnosis, treatments and outcomes. This directly benefits the one in seven Irish women who develop breast cancer during their lifetime, that is more than 3,300 Irish women a year.
“Having had breast cancer myself back in 2010 and now again I can see the huge steps taken in diagnosis, treatment and aftercare over this period of time,” Caroline said.
Researchers funded by the National Breast Cancer Research Institute, based at the Lambe Institute, University of Galway, are currently leading major national and international projects aimed at improving the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.
Any one who would like to join the Lough Lene Lovvies can register on The Swim in Pink website or directly through this link Lough Lene Lovvies Swim in Pink, and you will receive your pink swimming cap, or turn up at Lough Lene at 1.0pm on Sunday 11 October.