“There has been a beautiful show of community support”
Westmeath Independent Community & Sports Awards in association with Westmeath County Council
Joanne O'Connor, Jim O'Connor Memorial Castle to Castle Swim Committee: Volunteer of the Year finalist
Joanne O’Connor of the Jim O’Connor Memorial Castle to Castle Swim Committee said she was “very humbled” to be nominated and shortlisted for the Volunteer of the Year Award at the Westmeath Independent Community & Sports Awards.
She said she was representing all of the Castle to Castle Swim committee and the 130 volunteers who organise the event each year.
“We have had a great three years so far and we hope to continue our good work for Pieta,” she added.
The 13.5 km Lough Ree swim, from Rindoon Castle in Roscommon to Athlone Castle, honours the memory of Athlone's Jim O'Connor and raises funds for Pieta, the suicide and self-harm prevention charity.
A total of more than €229,000 has been handed over in the three-year period since the event's inception, with this year’s event alone raising over €113,000.
Jim, who died in 2018, swam the length of Lough Ree without a wetsuit in 2012 - completing an incredible 34km distance in just over 13 hours. Jim was passionate about open water swimming and supporting his community, and this event continues his legacy.
His widow, Joanne, said, she, and their children “are particularly proud of the shortlisting in Jim’s memory”, highlighting that Jim himself was a monthly winner in the 2012 Westmeath Independent Sports Awards, the precursor to this event.
“It is also tinged with sadness and always will be, but also with joy as to what has come out of our great loss." Acknowledging the huge community support for the event, she said: “There was no one, business or volunteer, who said ‘no’ to us when we asked for help.”
“There has been a beautiful show of community support,” she said, for which the committee is truly grateful.
Speaking at an appreciation event, Stephanie Manahan, Chief Executive of Pieta, said the funds raised this year funded supporting almost 8,000 crisis calls being answered, the provision of more than 2,100 hours of counselling, or nearly 1,000 first therapy sessions.
Because of the amazing work of the volunteers in raising €113,121. more people who are struggling with thoughts of suicide, engaging in self-harm, or grieving the loss of a loved one will have access to Pieta’s free, professional support when they need it most.
The Volunteer of the Year award finalists are Joanne O'Connor, Jim O'Connor Memorial Castle to Castle Swim Committee, Elaine Howlin and Padraig Hegarty.
The Volunteer of the Year award is sponsored by Byrne Carolan Cunningham Solicitors LLP