Do you fancy a quick dip…in the sea…in January? Then get your trunks on and join Gobaith am Barri for the New Years Day Swim.
The splash in the sea at 12 noon on January 1st 2019 is the latest fundraiser of Rachel Degaetano who is striving to set up a Suicide Support Centre in our town.
The brave Barry Mum, who lost her 21 year-old son Chae in April 2015, needs to hit a target of £85,000 to start the facility that she is personally, and painfully, aware is much-needed in Barry.
She has already teamed up with the well-established Jacob Abraham Foundation (JAF) which has a support centre in Cardiff. The registered charity, soon to be renamed Suicide Support Cymru, was established by Jacob’s mother Nicola after the 24 year- old killed himself in October 2015.
Working together, Rachel hopes to replicate JAF’s work to: help prevent suicide through direct intervention with vulnerable people; raise awareness on mental health and/or suicide issues; promote positive mental health, and support people bereaved through suicide, in Barry and the Vale.
Our town’s community has been rocked and many families torn apart by the recent spate of deaths by suicide.
So at please wade in, come and watch, donate, and/or get involved.
The annual swim at Barry Island has been re-branded the Ty Hafan New Year’s Day Swim, although the event is open to all.
Rachel said: “All are welcome to brace the New Year sea for Gobaith am Barri. The former organiser of the public swim has ‘handed’ this event over to Ty Hafan – a brilliant and well-deserved Charity whom we all support, of course.
We would just rather swim for our Suicide Support Centre Campaign this year, and as it’s not compulsory to only be able to swim on New Years Day for one cause only, I’m sure there’s enough room for both of us.”
To make a donation for the Suicide Support Swim please click here.
Or you can send some cash to Gobaith am Barri at any time through the official Bank Account. The Sort Code is 30-90-89 and the Account Number is 37688168.
And of course, please take part too by turning up by Boofy’s at 10.30am on the day!
You could also wear one of Gemma Stauber’s beautiful Gobaith butterfly bracelets – as she generously donating £5 for every Sterling Silver Butterfly Bracelet she sells, to Gobaith am Barri.
Check out the beautiful bracelets here.
Thank you so much.
Speak soon.
Mrs SVJ
Sue Vincent-Jones, writing as Mrs SVJ, is a Barry born journalist, editor, and communications specialist. She blogs about Barry – and her life in the wider world, through the eyes of a, quirky and queer, local girl done good.
As a community activist, Sue was an integral part of the Gobaith Campaign for a much-needed Barry Suicide Support Centre. She was Media Lead, and Communications Advisor, for the Group who have now merged with CUBE.
Mrs SVJ, Barry’s Boldest Blogger, can be contacted here.