Tracy Piggott has announced a challenging underwater endurance swim across Galway Bay on July 28 in support of Sensational Kids, the national charity dedicated to providing life-changing therapy services for children with additional needs across Ireland.
The challenge, set to take place during Galway Race Week, will see Piggott undertake a solo 14-kilometre crossing from County Clare to Galway City, spending up to eight hours beneath the surface of the Atlantic in cold, dark conditions, powered only by breath control, resilience and determination.
This demanding feat marks a personal return to an achievement Piggott first completed in 1998 and is driven by a powerful belief that every child deserves to be seen, understood, supported and given the right help at the right time.
By swimming in silence, she aims to amplify the voices of children and families who often struggle to access timely and essential support services.
Tracy Piggott said: “I am undertaking this swim because I truly believe every child deserves the chance to reach their full potential.
“Sensational Kids is doing incredible work to bring vital therapies within reach for children who need them most, and I wanted to push myself to the absolute limit to support that mission.
“Every donation, no matter how small, will make a genuine difference in the life of a child.”
Karen Leigh, Founder & CEO of Sensational Kids, said Tracy’s underwater endurance swim is incredible.
“Her willingness to take on such a physically and mentally demanding challenge shines a spotlight on the urgent need for accessible therapy services for children with additional needs.
“Every metre she swims brings us closer to ensuring that every child has the right to reach their full potential.”
Tracy Piggott’s underwater Galway Bay crossing hopes to raise up to €500,000 which will directly help reduce the cost of therapy for families, provide subsidised or free services to those who need it most, and support the reintroduction of hippotherapy in County Kildare. Hippotherapy uses the movement of trained horses to support children with neurological, developmental and sensory challenges, improving balance, confidence, strength and emotional connection.
This fundraising campaign will support the ongoing work of Sensational Kids, a charity that has supported more than 11,000 children through its four regional child development centres since 2007, providing services including Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy, Play Therapy and Educational Psychology Assessments. With many families across Ireland still facing long waiting lists and limited access to support, fundraising efforts like this are more important than ever.
Piggott’s swim stands as a powerful reminder of the life-changing impact early intervention can have, and why accessible therapeutic services are so vital for children and families across Ireland.
Supporters are encouraged to get behind the fundraiser and help ensure that every child who needs support has the opportunity to thrive.
