Brian Daly

Ian Daly Swim a Mile with a Smile, Celbridge, Co. Kildare

Brian organises the annual Ian Daly Swim A Mile With A Smile charity swim. The swim is named after his son Ian who died of a brain tumour in July 2003, aged 11. The challenge is for swimmers to swim a mile, either on their own or as part of a team, in swimming pools all around Ireland. Brian liaises with county councils, leisure centres and hotels for the use of their pools to run the event. All the money raised goes to Barretstown Camp for seriously ill children and to the cancer research unit in Crumlin Children’s Hospital. Brian wanted to help raise awareness of families that were travelling a similar path of trying to cope with serious childhood illness. As Ian had died at a young age , Brian wanted to keep Ian’s name alive in people’s minds and in some way contribute to the community in the way that Ian would undoubtedly have done had he been alive. While he was in remission Ian had wanted to organise a sponsored swim to raise funds for Crumlin Hospital where he was treated. Unfortunately he died before he could realise his dream. So Brian and his wife felt that an annual sponsored swim was an ideal way to achieve both the aim of raising funds for charity on Ian’s behalf and also to help families cope with similar tragedies. The event continues to go from strength to strength, and the generosity of effort Brian puts into it has been greatly appreciated by both Crumlin Children’s Hospital and Barretstown Camp.

“The Ian Daly Swim A Mile With A Smile is an example of how the work of a few people can have a lasting effect on the lives of many children. The event could not run without the dedication, organisation and selfless help of my family and friends.” – Brian