It’s just over a week since local swimmer, Mary Feeney passed away in the water near Skippingstone Beach. That place has been home to Dash & Splash for over three years and holds a lot of incredible memories, but now also a very sad one.
This Sunday past at Dash & Splash I hoped to help bring some closure to the tragedy, so that swimmers felt okay to get back in the water here by holding a minute’s silence at the beginning of the event, in memory of Mary and what happened.
TRIBUTE
I didn’t know Mary personally, but from the few people I’ve met who did, I understood what a wonderful person she was; an artist, a yogi, a sea swimmer and so much more. A touching tribute was left on the beach for her by Hannah McKimm:
Hannah is a local artist and psychotherapist who shared what she had to offer in both regards, creating this memorial and also invited others to add to it themselves, as another means of offering respect and bringing closure by contribution.
CONTRIBUTION
Dash & Splash attendees had the opportunity to contribute in a different way last Sunday too, with charity buckets left out for the RNLI, K9 Search & Rescue, and Air Ambulance NI. A huge total of £924.99 was collected for the causes.
Huge thanks for the incredible generosity shown by those who turned up on Sunday and the many sea swimming groups from around the country who donated, as well as those who donated last Friday at a vigil organised by Gemma McKenzie.
IT’S NOT TOO LATE
If you still wish to donate to the heroes involved in the rescue attempt of Mary, who continue to watch out for sea swimmers and others around the coast and aim to keep them safe, you still can by getting in touch with them directly below:
Little more than a week on from the passing of Mary, it still feels too soon to get deep into the conversation of sea swimming safety, but I’ll aim to share more on that in future. Until then, continue to enjoy the sea but stay cautious and respectful.
