Brave souls in St Stephen's Day dip for Annalee

There was a carnival-like atmosphere in Bettytown on a sunny but frosty St Stephen's Day for the annual Annalee Memorial Swim in aid of Temple Street Children's Hospital. The event was organised by Bettystown man, Jimmy Lynch, in memory of his grandaughter Annalee Lynch from Kentstown, Navan, who died in a tragic accident four years ago. Little Annalee was on life support in Temple Street for two weeks before her death and Jimmy decided the thank the hospital for their kindness through that awful period by fund-raising for them each year. To date, he has raised €55,000 for the hospital and, while money is still coming in from this year's event, the amount raised so far is over €4,000. As people arrived at the beach on St Stephen's morning, they were greeted by something never witnessed by very many before. The beach was a complete block of ice with many of the children sliding along the beach. More than 60 swimmers, cheered on by a very large crowd of supporters, stripped off and braved the elements waiting for the sound of the whistle to send them on their way into the icy water. As the brave swimmers emerged one by one from the freezing water, they were greeted by some of the many helpers handing out hot refreshments which met with great approval. As the crowd left the beach, they were offered more hot drinks in the form of a big pot of homemade soup supplied and dished out by the kind proprietors of the new restaurant at the entrance to the beach. They then continued to the Last Straw pub and the Neptune Hotel for more refreshments, music and craic. Jimmy Lynch has thanked the businesspeople from the locality, the sponsors and the many people who helped to make this year's event such a great success. He would also like to remind people that any outstanding cards should be returned as soon as possible.