AN 81-year-old Donegal man endeared himself to swimmers throughout West Cork at the start of the week, as part of a fundraiser for a mental health charity.<\/p>\n
Paddy Conaghan included many popular West Cork bathing spots on his Ducking and Driving tour of Ireland.<\/p>\n
Elaine Grady, a family friend, said Paddy\u2019s initial plan was to do a Christmas swim and raise some money for the counselling service called Gemma\u2019s Legacy of Hope.<\/p>\n
He came up with the idea of driving around all the beaches in Donegal, but no sooner was the van kitted out, than Paddy decided to go nationwide.<\/p>\n
His first, modest fundraising target of \u20ac1,000 was met in jig time. Then it made 10 times that amount.<\/p>\n
Now, he is on \u20ac60,000 and is only halfway through a journey that is due to be completed in mid to late February.<\/p>\n
\u2018It is unbelievable how much people are getting behind him,\u2019 said Elaine.<\/p>\n
Paddy had intended sleeping in his van but people won\u2019t let him. The offers of support \u2013 and the donations \u2013 are pouring in.<\/p>\n
Anyone who\u2019d like to help Paddy can speak to Elaine after 3.30pm on 087 6227026, and, to donate, go to the GoFundMe<\/a> page or Ducking and Driving<\/a> on Facebook.<\/p>\n Elaine said Paddy was always a very strong and fit man, having worked in tunnelling all his life. He used to do a lot of hill climbing and cycling, but had to switch to swimming. Not having had a proper swim in nearly 60 years, he had to retrain himself to dive and swim.<\/p>\n Elaine said the money raised will make a massive difference to a small local charity that has three counsellors working with everyone, including children as young as five, four days a week.<\/p>\n Cllr Paul Hayes who joined the dippers at Broadstrand on Monday morning described Paddy as \u2018the most youthful and fit 81-year-old I\u2019ve ever met.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018Paddy\u2019s initiative has certainly brought a cheerfulness and warmth to a usually dull and dark month,\u2019 he said.<\/p>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n