Liberty Island New York & Alcatraz to San Francisco Bay swim challenges for Joan Fennelly

The summary

For several years, I have either spearheaded or been closely involved in many charity fundraisers, largely centred around endurance swimming challenges.  These activities have raised vital funds for charities across Ireland, the UK and as far away as Nepal, and supported cancer charities, brain condition charities (MS, MND, Parkinsons & Huntingtons), as well as educational charities and supporting women & children's refugees.

Over the years, my townsfolk have been incredibly benevolent in supporting my various fundraisers, so this time around, I am keen to go back to my roots, and work closely with a charity that is at the heart of the community of Mountmellick, where I grew up.   Having lost my Mam (Marie Fennelly) in December 2023, the very obvious choice was Mountmellick's Conference of St. Vincent de Paul, with whom my Mam was a leading and devoted member of for over 50 years.

For those of you who knew my Mam, she was a force of nature within our community, but a little known fact about her was that she was the only child of two Irish immigrants who met and married in New York - she was a phenomenal matriarch and is the inspiration for my fundraiser this year.

My grandparents, like millions of other Irish immigrants, were greeted by the Statue of Liberty as they arrived in the USA in the hope of a better life, on Saturday, September 14th, I will be swimming a distance of 2.5 miles from Manhattan to Liberty Island, in the choppy waters of New York harbour. While there are no vagabonds in my family (that I'm aware of!), on Wednesday, September 10th, I will also be embarking on the arduous 3 mile swim from Alcatraz to San Francisco Bay - a challenge that is renowned for strong ocean currents, cold waters and one which was deemed "impossible" for prisoners to safely escape the confines of prison to freedom!

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The society of St Vincent de Paul in Mountmellick is a voluntary Christian organisation that works with people experiencing poverty and disadvantage. Through person to person contact they are committed to respecting the dignity of those they support. Confidentiality is assured at all times, and the support provided is based on trust and friendship, whilst encouraging and promoting self-sufficiency.  St. Vincent de Paul assist members of the local community who need support with household bills such as food, fuel costs and electricity bills. They are always willing to assist with education costs at primary, secondary and 3rd level, where other assistance and grants are not available. They also offer advice and support over the phone.

St. Vincent de Paul are very appreciative of the support of the people of Mountmellick, and would also like to thank Joan most sincerely for nominating our charity in memory of her mother Marie who, for many years, was a valued member of our town’s Conference of St. Vincent de Paul.

Tanya V

A beautiful way to honor your mother, Joan.

€100.00

David Nielsen

Well done!

€100.00

Diarmuid O Riordan

Well done!

€100.00

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