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FIFTY FRIENDS OF Pádraig Schaler gathered at the weekend for a big challenge in aid of their “loyal and fun” friend who is in a coma.
Schaler, who is 23, is in rehabilitative neurological care in Germany after being knocked off his bike by a truck while on a J1 visa visit to Cape Cod last summer.
His friends have held a number of fundraising events, and the latest one was quite a physical challenge.
On Saturday morning, 12 April, the group began the first of their swims around 17 counties, kicking off the Swim for Pádraig challenge in Balbriggan, County Dublin.
From there, they travelled right around the coast of Ireland., finishing with a moonlit swim on the Bray seafront on Sunday night.
Their challenge of swimming in every coastal county in the country helped raise €32,000 for Schaler’s family.
Schaler’s parents – Reinhard Schaler and Pat O’Byrne – have been travelling to Germany regularly to be with their son, who is getting treatment over there.
Event organiser, Aodhán Ó Deá, said:
’Snámh Phádraig’ was incredible. All involved, both those participating and all who have donated to the event are due huge credit and thanks. The support has been overwhelming, from bystanders around the country who had their weekend’s stroll disturbed by 50 mad swimmers to the Mammies baking buns for us as we shivered on the bus travelling from county to county – the atmosphere was electric and a true testament to Pádraig and his spirit.
The money raised through sponsorship will go to Caring for Pádraig, a special fund that has been set up to support the many costs of Pádraig’s care.
Pádraig had just completed his undergraduate studies in Trinity College Dublin, where he was studying Irish and History, when he went on the J1 trip.
[image alt="dearglefearg Béal Feirste" src="http://cdn.thejournal.ie/media/2014/04/dearglefearg-beal-feirste-630x428.jpg" width="630" height="428" title="" class="alignnone" /end]
As he was a talented swimmer and passionate gaeilgeoir, the event was held in both English and Irish.
Ó Deá said that the event was “the perfect way to honour him”.
Donations can be still be made to the event by clicking here.
You can learn more about Pádraig at www.caringforpadraig.org. Pádraig’s father, Reinhard Schäler also writes a blog at www.hospi-tales.com.
All photos courtesy of Aodhán Ó Deá
I wonder- what were his religious affiliations?
@Atheos Euripides: you must be so proud
@lavbeer: what did he say?
@Suzie Sunshine: he reckoned that year man is innocent!
@Brian Ward: lol! he’s off the wall if he thinks that. .
@Suzie Sunshine: see virtual architect comment below. That was basically it.
@lavbeer: cheers . Classic Atheos ..
@Atheos Euripides: For attacking 2 cops with a 4 foot sword! He was hardly there to give them a hot towel shave and a hair cut.
@Atheos Euripides: “alt-right” Ouch! “racist” Ouch!! “snowflake” Ouch! “Islamophobe” Ooff! You’re so mean, I’m going to tell your mammy.
Thankfully no one died! ..heard there’s no candles left anyway
Glad they arrested him to get much needed intelligence from him hence the second arrest and hopefully more
Hope they get a few hidings along the way
The power of the media, it creates the things it reports by inspiring others for their 15 minutes of fame?
They watched to much game of thrones
@rowan hill: Sansa Stark dies tonight…
@”": Whaaaaaaaaa
@RJ.Fallon: my money is on Sanss
@”": Grrrrrr, grumble grumble, won’t be worth watching without Sansa.
@RJ.Fallon: i do concur Mr fallon …i hope I’m wrong
@”": Don’t call me Mr. ,I’ll have to buy a suit…RJ, my real name.
So another head the ball try to kill someone . Why is that news . Put an end to it , shoot him arrest him .dont make a fuss about it that’s what head the balls want
@WilhelminaMCallaghan: inclined to agree with this approach. Remove him and any accomplices from society quickly, quietly and ruthlessly. Don’t report it. It’s helping them and not us as the information does not help us avoid a future encounter.
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