Navan woman’s icy beach dip for special school
A NAVAN special needs teacher who braved the icy waters of a Welsh beach for a charity swim says she was spurred on to take part in the event by her Wales Rugby star pal.
Welsh-born Rhian Thompson took the icy plunge at the 36th Annual Pembrey Country Park Walrus Dip on Cefn Sidan Beach in her home country at Christmas to raise funds for St Mary's Special School in Navan where she works.
Hundreds of people gathered on the beach to take a dip in the sea for causes close to their hearts, with most donning fancy dress and colourful Christmas costumes. And Rhian had a secret weapon in the form of Wales International Rugby Union player, Aaron Shingler who encouraged the teacher to take on the chilly Welsh sea.
The 27-cap Wales back-rower announced he was hanging up his boots last year after making 226 appearances for the Scarlets.
“It was December in Wales so although the weather was milder than other years it was freezing,” said Rhian.
“It was a shock to the system to say the least,” she added.
Although not intending to take part in the swim, a last minute trip to her homeland presented the opportunity as the teacher explains:
“It is something that I have been saying I am going to do for many, many years but getting up on St Stephen's Day morning is harder than it sounds sometimes so it is just one of those things that never happened.”
“But then on Christmas Eve one of my friends who just retired from playing rugby in the Welsh squad mentioned he was doing it and convinced me to come along!
“My poor dad didn't have a choice and got dragged in too, he didn't want to come in at all but I knew Aaron would be running ahead way faster than me being the rugby pro so I thought I need someone for moral support!”
The new multi-million euro development for St Mary's Special School will see a split-level two-storey school with facilities including classrooms, art woodwork, computer and home economics room, library, a daily living skills room, as well as a general purpose room with stage and full kitchen and dining facilities.
“There is a lot of fundraising going on for St Mary's because we are moving school to a brand new building down the road which is fantastic but means we need an awful lot of resources,” said Rhian.
“There is a fundraising committee trying to raise money for outdoor play equipment at the moment,” she added.
“We are hoping to move in at Easter, it is a new purpose built school and it is going to be amazing when it's finished.
“The resources we have for the children are going to be fantastic, it's just trying to get everything together now and trying to fundraise so we can make this school brilliant for the children.
“I love the pupils and there is a really good team atmosphere, it is a lovely school to work in.
“Every staff member is dedicated and passionate in making the children and parent's lives as enjoyable as possible.”