Iain Chisholm, City of Belfast Swimmming Club, with teammates Keri-Anne Payne, Dan Bullock and Lieutentant Albany Mulholland

Statesmen & Local Swimmers Make a Big Splash For Hope For Youth NI

South Belfast swimmers Iain Chisholm and Eimear Brown the City of Belfast Swimming Club, swam as part of the all-stars relay teams at the prestigious Hope For Youth Northern Ireland Speedo Charity Swim Gala Dinner in London’s Porchester Hall. Now in its 27th year, the swim included famous faces like Ian Paisley Jr and Kirsty Blackman MP, alongside world-class swimmers including Keri-Anne Payne, Michael Jamieson and Dan Bullock, who donned their Speedos to take part in the gala event pitting swimmers from the House of Commons against the House of Lords.

Following the swim and award presentations by the charity’s chief patron HRH The Duchess of Gloucester, guests were treated to a top notch dinner including locally-grown beef from O’Doherty’s Fine Meats, Enniskillen and wine from Concha y Tora with entertainment by The X Factor’s Jay James and The American Four Tops and auction by Tom Best of world-renowned Christie’s.

Sponsored by swimwear giant Speedo, the biennial event raised over £50,000 for Hope For Youth NI, which helps to fund cross-community groups in Northern Ireland that will enhance the lives of young people aged 11-18.