Derry woman to swim for 24 hours to raise money for domestic abuse charity

A Derry woman will take on a 24 hour ‘swimathon’ to raise money for Foyle Women's Aid, which provides support for victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence.

On 9 April, Patricia Breslin will swim for 17 hours in total with half hour breaks, though the exact split may ebb and flow.

Patricia says she's looking forward to the challenge, which was set to take place late last year but had to be rescheduled due to the delayed reopening of City Baths.

“I'm actually really excited and people say to me 'how can you be excited for a swim?' It is a big challenge, there's no doubt that I'm going to be tired but I really am excited,” she said.

“It's a challenge too that shows, it doesn't matter what age you are, you can accomplish whatever you want in life. If you set your mind to it, anything is achievable and even coming through domestic violence and addiction myself, it's achievable.

“I have the support of people around me and if people want to come in and donate or come in and spectate or even do half an hour to an hour swimming.”

In 2023, there were 3,197 domestic abuse incidents and crimes recorded by the police in Derry and Strabane, an increase of 103 on the year before. A total of 3,3071 were recorded across the North in 2023, an increase of 144.

Patricia says she knows firsthand about the great work Foyle Women's Aid does.

“It takes a lot of courage to walk away from the domestic home or whatever it may be. In the aftermath, because we're so stripped of self-worth and self esteem, it's about rebuilding your life, especially for yourself first and foremost, and then the ripple effect of that for your children.

“In my day, 27 years ago, we just had the Journey to Freedom, which is all about the perpetrator but we never had the other programmes such as building healthy relationships and moving forward from domestic violence and creating a better life, getting back into employment and getting your whole self-worth back and being able to do things that you want in life rather than living in fear.”

Another Derry swim-challenge veteran, Danny Quigley has been helping Patricia along the way, with training schedules and moral support when needed.

“Danny has been really, really supportive and we meet nearly every fortnight just to check in and he says he’ll be there on the day as well to check how I’m feeling physically every time I come out of the water. He’s been like a mentor.

“He is supporting me with the training so I've had a link-in with him last week. After not swimming for a lengthy period the momentum had stalled so we spoke about the structure of the swim on the day but at the same time, it may not go exactly as planned and my physical health may go different ways.

“I'll need to have people in around the clock for that 24 hours just to keep that momentum going.”

The delay resulted in her taking a little time off training but Patricia says she’s back to top performance.

“I did take a break over Christmas and I was struggling after it but with the mindset and in a physical sense I'm in a good place now.

“I checked in with Danny when I was struggling as we all need that support sometimes so, lift the phone and get the right advice from the right person.”

However, it means she will now get to take on the challenge on a day of significance for her.

“The date holds a significant personal meaning for me because it marks the sixth year of my sobriety.

“The journey has been so deeply entwined because of my domestic violence, addiction, childhood trauma spanning over three decades. So it's imperative for us to recognise that many individuals, particularly women, employ alcohol or another substance as a coping mechanism while enduring domestic violence.”

Patricia said she would like to thank her family, friends and the public for supporting her journey and the message getting out there.

You can donate to Patricia’s fundraiser on Just Giving.