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Evan Cronin English Channel Swim 2018 Evan Cronin English Channel Swim 2018

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Evan Cronin English Channel Swim 2018 in aid of Make A Wish

Evan Cronin English Channel Swim 2018 in aid of Make-A-Wish. By ilovelimerick correspondent Cian Reinhardt Evan training at UL Sports Arena, preparing for a 3km lake swim the following day. Picture by Cian Reinhardt/ilovelimerick.

Limerick’s Evan Cronin aims to swim the English Channel in 2018 to raise funds for Make-A-Wish Foundation with a minimum target of €25,000.

The swim is a straight distance of almost 21 miles, but the strong currents and tide can pull swimmers many miles out of direction. Past swimmers, who have completed the task, have spent between seven and 27 hours swimming. If the swimmer touches the boat or receives any physical help they are disqualified from the swim.

Evan Cronin English Channel Swim 2018

Evan Cronin English Channel Swim 2018. Evan training at UL Sports Arena ahead of a 3km lake swim the following day. Picture: Cian Reinhardt/ilovelimerick


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“More people have climbed Mount Everest than have swum the Channel,” says Evan. The Limerick man went on to say how one in every six people that attempt the swim complete it, and to date, just three Limerick swimmers have done so.

Evan Cronin says he always thought of doing a large-scale event like this, and any event he takes on he is sure to do it in aid of a charity. “Recently I’ve done a skydive for CARI (a charity providing therapy and support for children affected by sexual abuse), I ran a treadmill marathon in the gym in Raheen. I’ve always said I would do something for Make-A-Wish, and this could be my last hurrah, so I might as well make it this,” he said.

The father of four says his family has shown some great support, “They think it’s great. Every child likes to see their dad do something. The younger ones don’t really understand what the undertaking is, but they love watching me jumping into the lake, if they see me cold, they’re happy. They love it, they will be getting involved in the events too.”

Evan Cronin English Channel Swim 2018

Evan Cronin English Channel Swim 2018. Evan Cronin trains with Chris Bryan and Thomas Neville. Picture courtesy Evan Cronin.

Evan has help from a small team including friend and long-distance swimmer Chris Bryan and close friend Thomas Neville who attends every training session he can. Evan says whether they are in a lake in Limerick or the sea in Cork his friend,  Thomas Neville is driving him forward.

“When it comes to sport I have never given up on anything. As far as drive goes, that’s just me really. But it’s not just a case of doing it for myself, doing it for the charity gives you that extra push – you don’t let people down,” said Evan Cronin.

Evan Cronin

“More people have climbed Mount Everest than have swum the Channel,” says Evan.

With fundraising events over the next two years, Evan was grateful of his colleagues who support him in work at Three in Limerick. Events organised through the company social club will make donations to Evan Cronin English Channel Swim 2018. Evan Cronin is optimistic the goal of €25,000 will be reached over the two years but hopes he can raise a lot more than that if possible.

Evan’s swim tide window is September 2-7 2018 and he will be piloted across the channel by Fred and Harry Mardle, who are based in Folkestone in the UK, on the boat called ‘The Masterpiece’.  Evan is now based out in Ennis, Co Clare to be closer to the Clare coast for sea training and Active Ennis have given him full use of their facilities to train. 

Setting a goal of 10km by the end of this year and 20km by next Summer, the Limerick swimmer will be well on his way to take on the mammoth task which he hopes to complete in August 2018.

You can donate to Evan Cronin English Channel Swim 2018 here.
Follow Evan Cronin on Facebook here.
Read more stories related to charity here.

Richard is a presenter, producer, songwriter and actor. He was named the Limerick Person of the Year (2011) and won an online award at the Metro Éireann Media and Multicultural Awards (2011) for promoting multi-culturalism online. Richard says that the ilovelimerick.com concept is very much a community driven project that aims to document life in Limerick. So, that in 20 years time people can look back and remember the events that were making the headlines.