'Swim4Lynne' funds handed over to Brain Tumour Ireland
Earlier this year swimmers gathered at the diving boards on Lough Owel to participate in a 2.8km rectangular course, out to Church Island, back to the railway line lake shore, and returning to the diving boards. In a summer of memorably good weather, Saturday July 25 was an anomaly, but the wind and rain did not deter those who took part in the third Lynne Algar Remembrance Swim, an annual event celebrating the life and legacy of Lynne Algar.
The event brought together family, friends, swimmers, and supporters undertaking the long distance swim, to raise funds for Brain Tumour Ireland.
Two months on a smaller group gathered at the same spot last Thursday: “We’re here today to present this €9,205 cheque to Brain Tumour Ireland,” Angela Algar said on the shore of a windswept Lough Owel.
Angela is Lynne’s mother, and she explained to the Westmeath Examiner why the event to honour the dedicated athlete was in support of Brain Tumour Ireland: “They don’t get any state funding, so we’re delighted to be able to do something for them, they are a charity that are close to our hearts.”
This year, before the main swim, there was a 200-metre Kids Splash and Dash fun race: “I thought because of the weather there was no way they’d be getting in,” said Angela, “but everyone did it. There were, I think, about 25 children. Then the adults went after that.”
The choice of the event was in keeping with Lynn’s passion: “She was an avid swimmer. She absolutely loved open water swimming. She won every race in the country.
“She was extremely strong until the very end. Aside from her family, swimming was her life,” she said.
The pride of a mother is apparent when Angela speaks of her daughter and her network of friends: “She was a coach with Triathlon Ireland. She did so much to bring on young athletes in cycling, swimming and running. She had a PhD in sports science. And she had a remarkable group of friends.”
Brain Tumour Ireland was founded in 2012 by a small group of people who had cared for a family member, Ronnie Fehily, who passed away from a grade 4 brain tumour.
To accept the cheque on behalf of the charity was Vito Moloney Burke, head of fundraising at Brain Tumour Ireland: “We are a small but mighty charity,” she said. “We try to cover a lot of ground. Supporting patients, family members, and bereaved people.”
Vito said “significant fundraisers” like the remembrance swim really help the charity: “We operate on two pillars. Number one is research; improving outcomes for brain tumour patients now and in the future.
“The other really important pillar is support. Whether that’s emotional support, or practical support. When I say practical, being diagnosed with a brain tumour is an overwhelming and confusing time.
“It means so many different things because every brain tumour diagnosis is different in how it impacts people. We give both that emotional support and the practical support is really, really important.”
Angela Algar concluded by thanking all who took part in the swim and the group who organised the swim, including JP O’Brien, Ken Whitelaw, Robbie O’Connor, Laura Bell, and Jenny Algar.