PICTURES: Hardy Laois swimmers jump in Portarlington lake for Swim in Pink

A Laois woman who is having treatment for breast cancer, led a brave crew into a chilly lake for a Swim in Pink fundraiser last weekend.

Early on Sunday morning, October 12, the group waded into the sandy manmade bog lake at Derryounce, Portarlington for a shared moment of solidarity, followed by hot drinks and treats and free merchandise from Breast Cancer Research Ireland. Read more below photos.

It was all to support local woman Grainne Territt, a member of the Derryounce Dippers and of Trilogy triathlon club in Laois. 

Grainne, who is a Pfizer contractor from Portarlington, told the Leinster Express / Laois Live why she organised the fundraiser.

"I'm going through treatment at the moment so as part of that it really did help me coming out here several times with friends, I've been doing it since Covid. We are a group of women who have always got through hard times, we come out here, have a chat, feel better afterwards.

"This is for a great cause so I said why not just have something. We've done a Swim in Pink before for other members of Trilogy and I'm feeling better so that's why I did it again this October," she said.

Grainne dressed head to toe in pink including tutu and legwarmers for her swim. She is thrilled with the great suppport of her event.

"I got a fantastic turnout. A lot of people texted me in the last few days. Even though it's county final day, a lot of men showed up this morning and sent messages to me, both from Portarlington and Courtwood so I wish them the best of luck in return. A huge contingency have shown up for me since the day I got the diagnosis. Today people have come from Portarlington, from all over Laois, even friends from Dublin. It was great to see the donations online as well, it's fantastic," Grainne said.

She has raised €2,195 so far, and intends to keep her Swim In Pink donation page open for the month of October which is national Breast Cancer awareness month. 

She thanks everyone who has supported her through her breast cancer diagnosis and treatment.

"The Cuisle Centre in Portlaoise is phenomenal, it's the people I've met along the way, the support from friends I know all my life. Friends I met along the way, friends that showed up here this morning. Everyone knows somebody that has gone through some sort of cancer, but especially breast cancer, it's one in seven.

"People don't know what to say or do a lot of the time, so to be able to have a coffee, have a chat, to know somebody else is willing to talk about it and share their experience and point you in the right direction of supports, is great. For me besides my husband Noel, it was my friend Louise Jones that was my backbone," Grainne explained.

Read also: Laois mother bravely takes on national Breast Cancer survivor poster campaign

Grainne Territt's fundraiser will be open for the month of October, see it here. All funds raised go directly to the National Breast Cancer Research Institute.