By Róise Collins
Tuesday marked the final swim in Denis Sheridan’s charity fundraiser for the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust.
Everyday throughout the month of December the Kilmacrennan man dipped in a different beach along the Donegal coast.
So far he has fundraised over €20,000 for the charity which aims to alleviate the financial hardship of bereaved families repatriating the bodies of loved ones who have died abroad in sudden or tragic circumstances.
Living abroad for many years in both London and Australia, Denis learned how important the work of the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust is.
He explained how as well as fundraising, it is equally as important to raise awareness of the hard work of the charity.
“I am surprised by how many people didn’t know about the charity and then again by how many people who did.”
Throughout the month Denis has met many families who have sadly had their loved ones repatriated through the trust.
“It’s a charity that most people seem very willing to donate to and hope that they never have to use,” he added.
Denis started sea swimming four years ago to alleviate back pain.
He continued throughout the blustery winter months when he realised that sea swimming offered much more than physical relief, it also proved very beneficial for his mental wellbeing.
Denis had initially planned to swim in Rathmullan beach every day in December, but then when swimming groups across the county caught wind of his fundraising effort they started to reach out and ask him to join them for a dip.
“I could see as I was doing this that the interest was growing and more people from different parts of the county were donating,” he said.
Because of the growing interest surrounding his daily swims Denis started a Facebook page called ‘Denis’s December Swim for Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust’ tracking his daily movements across the county with the help of his daughter Lauren.
Denis explained how both this online community and his family have played an important role spurring him on throughout the busy month.
The online fundraiser will remain open for those who wish to donate until January 12.
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