Dive right in for Christmas swim in aid of a good cause

Eve Kelliher meets the mum of two who, for the past 10 years, has hosted a charity Christmas Day swim in memory of her sister.

They may never have met her, but hundreds of Killarney people have raised over €50,000 during the past decade in memory of a talented and popular young Welsh woman whose life was cut tragically short by suicide.

Sylvan Money died in 2004 aged just 26 after battling depression. She is remembered by her sister, Niki McCarthy, of Tiernaboul, Killarney, as “a really lovely, gentle warm person”.

In the year before her death, Sylvan, from Powys, Wales, had been by Niki’s side as her bridesmaid when Niki exchanged wedding vows with Dave McCarthy on Innisfallen Island on Lough Leane.

And it is another of Killarney’s three famous lakes, Muckross Lake, that now provides the stunning backdrop to an annual event dreamed up by Niki in her sister’s honour and in aid of depression support charity Aware.

Sylvan, who had attended art college, had many friends and is remembered by her sister as quirky and sensitive.

“Sylvan had a passion for books and reading,” said Niki. “She also loved music and played the guitar.”

As its name suggests, the Christmas Day Dip at Dundag invites you to take the plunge for a splash or a swim at 11am on Christmas morning.

What’s particularly appealing is you don’t have to be a seasoned swimmer or all-weather water baby... simply dipping in and out of the water will suffice.

The fundraiser has transformed the festive season for countless locals and visitors to the town since it started and Niki hopes the 10th annual event will add extra sparkle to that all-important date, December 25, 2018.

You see, for Niki, the real magic of the dip is that it aims to unveil a different side to the festive season.

“One of the motivations behind it was to prove that Christmas doesn’t have to be all about presents, money and food,” said the mum-of-two.

Bothered by the inescapable materialistic aspect of the modern season of goodwill, Niki’s mission to set about changing the festive landscape for her family ended up inspiring a whole community.

“The kids were making lists of what they wanted for Christmas and so I thought it would be positive to focus on thinking about others,” she said.

Now they know no other way of celebrating Christmas morning.

Some 23 hardy souls togged out for the first dip in 2009 and since then it has risen to 100 happy splashers annually – frequently in fancy dress.

“We now try to organise a fancy dress every year and we have a big selfie frame. Our tagline on social media is A Decade of Dipping for Aware,” said Niki.

“It’s a community fundraiser which ends up helping Aware’s support groups and its school supports such as Beat the Blues.”

The Killarney mother made national headlines when she braved sub-zero temperatures to pose for a photograph in her tankini to launch the 2010 dip.

“I think that was the most memorable year, we literally had to break the ice to get into the water!” she laughs.

But no matter what the weather, Niki, her husband Dave and their children Oscar, 13, and Mischa, 11, will be found swapping winter woollens for swimwear at Dundag every December 25.

Swimmers take part in the Killarney Muckross Lake charity Christmas Day swim at Dundag Bay in the Muckross Lake, Killarney in aid of AWARE. Photo: Don MacMonagle

“It’s so nice it’s now part of a tradition for so many locals’ Christmas morning. Many people come back year after year to take part. We even have some visitors who are staying in the town for Christmas, including American holidaymakers, get involved,” said Niki.

Refreshments will be on offer should you need to refuel after taking a dive, and Niki promises hot dogs as well as the traditional dip staple of mince pies.

The local Order of Malta as well as lifeguards Conor and Derek O’Leary always volunteer their services.

Fundraising efforts like the Killarney Christmas Day Dip “are worth so much more than the monetary value of what is raised”, according to Gerry O’Brien of Aware.

“Events such as this give visibility to Aware and our services; bring people together in a supportive atmosphere; and ultimately helps Aware in its mission to reduce stigma surrounding mental ill-health,” he told the Irish Examiner.

We are incredibly grateful for the support of everyone who has taken part in the Christmas Day Dip over the past ten years, and particularly to Niki McCarthy who has been organising this event in support of Aware for all that time.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED

The Christmas Day Dip in aid of Aware takes place at Dundag, Muckross Lake, Killarney, at 11am on December 25.

You can contact Niki to get a sponsorship pack by calling 086-1608673 or email [e-mail] or see the Killarney Christmas Day Dip Facebook page.

Contact Niki McCarthy to get a sponsorship pack by calling 086-1608673 or email [e-mail] see the Killarney Christmas Day Dip Facebook page.

Then show up for the Christmas Day Dip in aid of Aware at Dundag, Muckross Lake, Killarney, at 11am on December 25.

This year is the 10 yr anniversary of the Killarney Christmas Day Dip for Aware, that's a decade of dipping! Last year over 100 people took part. It's a different way to start Christmas Day, so why not head along if you live near Killarney. All the details https://t.co/oEfr28DFRB pic.twitter.com/2oJ9XQ24mA

— Aware (@Aware) December 11, 2018

ALL ABOUT AWARE

Aware is the national organisation providing support, education and information services for those impacted by depression, bipolar disorder and other mood-related conditions.

Founded in 1985 the organisation developed in response to the clear need for information, understanding and support, both for individuals with a diagnosis of depression or bipolar disorder as well as family members supporting a loved one.

For more information, visit www.aware.ie “Aware is very grateful for the kind and generous support of our many donors, corporate supporters and those who fundraise on our behalf.

"As Aware received only 17% of its funding from the State in 2017, we are significantly reliant on donations and fundraisers to raise money that directly contributes to the provision, development and expansion of our services,” said Gerry O’Brien of Aware.

Aware offers support groups in 32 locations nationwide as well as education and life skills programmes.

The support line, Freephone 1800 80 48 48, operates 365 days a year, from 10am-10pm.

The support email is [e-mail], with emails answered within 24 hours.