Clara school will be 'going the extra mile' for upcoming fundraiser

Staff, students and parents from Scoil Phroinsiais Naofa, Clara, are pushing the limits as part of a major fundraising effort to help build a new playground for the school.

Many of the staff will be leaving their comfort zone by jumping into Clara Community Swimming Pool on Friday, May 9, as part of the 'Swim a Mile' challenge - which is 64 lengths of the pool.

This is by no means an easy task and many teachers have been in training for the past two months in preparation for the challenge.

Some students have come together in relay teams to make up the 64 lengths and to do their part to support the fundraising efforts.

Staff members who are not dipping their toes into the pool are taking on a 5km walk at the same time as the staff members are swimming in the challenge. Both events hope to culminate at approximately the same time.

Other staff members have really pushed the boat out in their effort to fundraise. Six staff members have committed to run a half marathon which coincides with the final day of the students' walk a mile week.

Scoil Phroinsiais Naofa principal Madge Bourke is leading from the front. She has trained diligently under the guidance of Clara pool manager Pearce Reynolds for the past two months, and is looking forward to tackling on the challenge.

With all the hype around the fundraising effort, parents have also been coming forward to take part in the swimming challenge.

Students, staff and parents that are taking part in each event have each set up their individual iDonate pages, with the participants doing extremely well in their fundraising efforts.

The people Clara have been incredibly supportive, showing their generosity and passion towards this local cause.

If you would like to donate to the school fundraiser, you can visit: idonate.ie/cause/ScoilPhroinsiaisNaofa