Charity
VIDEO & PHOTOS – Special Olympics Polar Plunge
Pictured above: Left to right, Niamh Briggs, Limerick, Chris Verling, Thurles, and Hilda Moloney, Killaloe.
MORE than 50 brave souls got ‘freezing for a reason’ at the annual charity Polar Plunge in Killaloe for Special Olympics on Sunday December 7.
Participants, including members of the Gardai and the Army, took the leap of faith into Lough Derg at the University of Limerick Adventure Centre in Killaloe, Co Clare to raise funds for the organisation.
The Polar Plunge was organised by Killaloe-based Garda Hilda Moloney as part of her commitment to the Law Enforcement Torch Run, an organisation that has been in partnership with Special Olympics for many years.
Garda Moloney said a great day was had by all. “We had so much fun! I’d like to that our athletes and the people who made the effort to come along and support us on the day. This is a unique and fun way to raise vital funds for Special Olympics,” said Garda Moloney. “All of the money raised goes towards supporting over 2,500 athletes in the Munster region and ensuring that they continue to get access to sporting opportunities through competitions, leagues and interclub competitions.
Similar Polar Plunges have also taken place in locations around the country in December as part of a fundraising drive to raise funds for athletes with intellectual disabilities and to help support a team of 88 Irish athletes heading to the Special World Summer Games in Los Angeles next summer.
“This is a unique and fun way to raise vital funds for Special Olympics,” said Garda Moloney. “All of the money raised goes towards supporting Special Olympics athletes and ensuring that they continue to get access to sporting opportunities through competitions, leagues and interclub competitions!”
More information on the Polar Plunge can be found at www.specialolympics.ie/polarplunge.
Read more about the Special Olympics here!
Photos by Diarmuid Green of Fusionshooters 2014. All Rights Reserved