Swim in Pink for breast cancer

A Swim in Pink fundraiser took place at Annagh Lake last Sunday (October 13) to raise funds for Breast Cancer research and a local cancer charity.

The event, organsied by Annagh Lake Dippers, raised €1,600 for Cuan Cancer Support Centre in Cavan, with collections still taking place. There was an additional €850 raised online for Breast Cancer Research Ireland (BCRI).

The local swimming group decided to take part in the event three years ago.

“The Swim in Pink is about everybody’s own journey, there were a lot of women there quite emotional,” said Therese Johnston, who is a member of the swimming community.

“I have friends who have gone through it so I think the research part of it is really important and then the work that Cuan does is amazing.

“We just want to support local and breast cancer research.”

To the beat of drums courtesy of Belturbet’s Mammoth Street Band and some tunes from local musicians filling the crisp Autumn air, the swimmers in pink took to the cool water to raise funds for cancer.

“They [the band] made their debut yesterday, which really really helped everybody into the water because the drumming, I don’t know how it did it, but it made the water feel lovely,” says Therese.

“Everybody started dancing in a circle,” she recalls.

“It’s a very special occasion for some because I know that there’s friends of mine there who are grieving, people who have passed from breast cancer.

“Some of the rest of us have watched our friends go through horrific journeys so it’s very close to a lot of people’s hearts, it’s a really lovely event.”

With four gas stoves, donations of sausages and six sliced pans from Cully’s Craft Bakery, combined with baked goods from the swimming community, cups and flasks of water, they enjoyed a picnic after the swim.

“Everybody brought a cup and an extra cup for a friend and an extra flask of water and that's what we did yesterday.

“A saussie, a slice pan and a cup of tea and that’s just how we roll.”

The Cornafean woman explained how special the lake is to members of the Annagh Lake Dippers.

“The lake is one of those places. You’re stripped back, nobody cares and I suppose that’s what everybody needed yesterday.

“Give a bit of money and run into a cold lake,” she laughs.

Those who missed the event can still make a donation to Cuan Cancer Support Centre in Cavan.

For more photos from the event, see our Swim in Pink gallery here.