Offaly Domestic Violence Support Service to host charity swim challenge

The Offaly domestic violence support service (ODVSS) have announced their new charity initiative,  in hopes to raise much needed funds for the organisation. 

The ODVSS has run a variety of events and campaigns throughout the last number of years to continue raising vital funds to provide essential services and advocate for victims of domestic abuse and violence.  

The Christmas swim challenge is open to all who are willing to participate. 

Speaking with Anne Clarke, a key worker in the service, she said, "The date (or dates) is up to the individual person. We are asking, as we know there is a lot of cold swimmers, particularly around Banagher and that, is to set a challenge for yourself and do 12 days over the 12 days of Christmas, or even just in December, they can either get a sponsorship card from ourselves or they can set up a fundraising page through our iDonate page,"

"By setting up this page, proceeds go directly to us and there is no middleman, so to speak," she added. 

The organisation very much depend on the generosity of the public to support all their fundraisers, so they can help the men and women trapped in these terrifying and unsafe situations. 

Founded in 1997, the group was originally named Offaly Women in Crisis, and came about as result of the work of volunteers whose lives had been affected by domestic violence.

At the core of the organisation's beliefs is to provide support and services for victims of domestic violence and their children at a local level, and campaign for societal and legislative changes that will lead to the elimination of violence and abuse.

Information, advocacy and support is given by one to one confidential support, an information line with telephone support,

accompaniment to Court and other services, and outreach services which are located in Birr, Edenderry, Ferbane, Banagher, Shannonbridge and Clara. 

For more information, you can call the service on 057 935 1796.