When Jack Dinneen posted the notice for the swim in the 40 Foot in support of Arc Cancer Support Centres and in memory of the late Tash Mulligan, it was a timely reminder of our fragile and often tenuous hold on life but it also highlighted the power of club and community in coming together for such a worthy cause.

As the organising committee of Jack Dinneen, Gareth Molloy, Eduardo Moffitt, Cathal Boyle and Kieran Mulligan set about arranging the finer details there was two things they couldn’t determine – the weather and how many would turn up on the day.

In true Irish fashion the Saturday was a belter of a day and on Sunday, it poured and for good measure, poured some more.

The crowd size of the crowd that turned out on such a wet morning was a real head turner. Some 100 brave souls took to the water and some 100 plus onlookers cheered then on.

There were swimmers in attendance from all the senior teams in Lansdowne – members of the 1st XV that played on Saturday, led by their captain Jack Dwan, members of both the J1 and U20s who both had games later that Sunday, the J2 and also players from last season’s U17 squad.

Not forgetting the many non-playing members who also togged out. We’d presidents past and present in Mark Dawson and Derry Shaw. Joe Leddin was spotted sporting the finest of umbrellas – the pattern on it we believe is the away jersey design for Munster next season.

Besides the large crowd at the 40 Foot, those that couldn’t make it made their own arrangements. Peter Earle and his family took to the water down in Wexford, Scott Deasy and his family tried out the warmer waters down in Cork and we’ve reports of swimmers in support over in France, Spain and the Canaries.

In sunny Dunmore East, 30 locals also took to the waters and in the process raised over €1,000.

So far, the ‘Swim 4 Tash’ has raised over €17,000 and rising.

We often joke in Ireland about funerals and weddings being the glue that brings so many together. Throw into that mix your local club, whatever sport it is, and it too provides the glue that brings us all to together. In this instance, in memory and to celebrate the life of Tash Mulligan and at the same time, raise some much needed funds for a most worthy charity, Arc Cancer Support Centres.

If you would like to support ARC Cancer Support Centres and help us hit the €20,000 mark, please click here.

Rumour has it that this may well become an annual event. Why not!