Derry woman to swim for 24 hours for Foyle Women’s Aid

A Derry woman will take on a 24 hour ‘swimathon’ for women who are victims of domestic violence.

The challenge will take place on 30 November at Derry's City Baths to raise funds and awareness of the issue that impacts so many people in the North.

Patricia will be swimming for 17 hours in total during the day, with others swimming in her place as she takes half hour breaks.

Patricia Breslin said she felt a duty to take on the challenge amid the wave of cuts imposed by the UK government.

“The idea came because these past few years I’ve co-facilitated alongside Foyle Women’s Aid and the programmes are essential for the women after a domestic violent relationship,” she said.

“I saw on LinkedIn, Claire Hanna, was in Parliament discussing with the Prime Minister at that time about how Northern Ireland has the highest rate of domestic violence in the UK and that sort of triggered me and then they were saying that the funding was getting cut.

“These programmes are essential, and I see the transformation of women after coming out of a domestic violence relationship.”

In 2021 the North was revealed to be tied as the second most dangerous place in Western Europe for women being killed as a result of domestic violence.

On a drive to Cookstown, on her way to leading her own programme with Causeway Women’s Aid, she began thinking about what she could do to raise funds.

Patricia used to swim with the City of Derry Swimming Club when she was in secondary school so she decided her challenge would play to this strength.

“So as soon as the idea came and I got home from Cookstown I messaged Marie Brown, the Director of Women's Aid, and we had a meeting and I told her about the fundraiser and that’s where it started off.”

She will be swimming in city baths, where she started her swimming training in her younger years.

She says she has never taken on a challenge like this but she’s looking forward to it.

“I'm actually excited. These last couple weeks I've been involved with the Voices Forum.

“We have been through domestic violence, and we have ongoing meetings. Between them, Marie Brown, Women’s Aid and other people I’ve been getting the help I need for the fundraiser.

“At the start I was in the pool for 20 minutes. Now I’ve built up to an hour. So, every week, I go in on a Monday. My Monday is ‘accountability Monday’ and I up the game every week.

“There’s a lot of challenges along the way for me too because I had an eating disorder as well and you have to eat more. So, this is a big challenge.”

However, Patricia added that the challenge is helping with other aspects of her mental health such as depression.

Patricia runs Women of Substance, a platform to guide women through challenges to discover their inner strength and resilience.

“It will be a year now on September 3 that I became self-employed and became a founder of Women of Substance from Toxicity to Authenticity.

“I support and empower women who have experienced domestic violence, addiction and trauma because I have over 30 years of experience with alcohol addiction, domestic violence and trauma, myself and an eating disorder.”

You can donate to Patricia’s fundraiser here: www.justgiving.com/page/foyle-womens-aid-1692269549127