Culdaff New Year’s Day swim raises €8,000 for Bocan First Responders Group
The donation will be used to purchase new defibrillators, ensuring that every responder in the group is equipped with one when attending emergencies
A community fundraising effort in Inishowen has resulted in a significant boost for local emergency response services, as the Culdaff New Year’s Day Swim raised €8,000 for the Bocan Community First Responders.
The presentation took place at the Culdaff Arms, where members of both groups gathered to mark the occasion and celebrate another successful year for the long-running charity event.
The Bocan CFR group said they were honoured to have been selected as this year’s beneficiary and expressed sincere gratitude for the support received from the organisers and the wider community.
The funds raised will play a crucial role in enhancing the group’s lifesaving capabilities. The donation will be used to purchase new automated external defibrillators (AEDs), ensuring that every responder in the group is equipped with one when attending emergencies.
Additional funding will go towards new training equipment to support the ongoing development of volunteers, as well as the maintenance and upkeep of the 12 publicly accessible defibrillators located throughout the Culdaff and Gleneely areas.
The Bocan CFR group is made up of trained local volunteers who respond to potential medical emergencies in their community, often providing critical early intervention before ambulance services arrive.
Speaking after the presentation, members of the group said they deeply appreciate the continued backing from both the swim committee and the broader community, noting that such support enables them to maintain and expand their vital service.
The evening at the Culdaff Arms was described as a great success, with thanks extended to Brian Bonner for providing food and to all those who attended and contributed to the event’s success.
The Culdaff New Year’s Day Swim, held annually at Caratra Strand, is widely recognised as Inishowen’s largest and longest-running charity swim. The popular event, which takes place every January 1st, regularly attracts hundreds of participants who brave the cold waters of the Blue Flag beach in support of good causes.
Over the years, the swim has raised hundreds of thousands of euro for a wide range of charities and community groups.