Vol. 25 #03 27 Nov. 2023
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Winner: Best Newspaper at the National Student Media Awards 2019
Student Independent News Nuachtán saor in aisce · Vol. 25 Issue 03 · 27 Nov. 2023
Photo by the Coldvember team
Coldvember charity rocks Salthill in its sixth consecutive year By Alexander Lopatin and Matthew Coggins
The event has been incredibly pop- businesses in Salthill. Meanwhile, the ular with the students at the University participating students not only leave of Galway. In a survey sent to students the water energised, but enjoy health The sea is calmest before dawn, but in asking whether they had participated in benefits of responsible cold exposure Salthill, it roars with a hundred voices. Coldvember yet, 74% of the responses as well. University of Galway students crowd were a yes. This year, Coldvember is raising around Blackrock Diving Tower and plunge “All you have to do is just go in the money for Galway Rape Crisis Centre, themselves into freezing water. They are water,” says Helena Canny, a member of a local charity that helps and supports here for Coldvember — the annual student the student committee that organizes anyone affected by sexual violence and run charity event that challenges students Coldvember. abuse. “We’re just shy on 7,500 euro at to forget their exam woes by going for a “It’s a mindset to get yourself into the the moment,” Canny says. Last year’s refreshing November swim. cold water. Once you first go into it once, event raised upwards of 19,000 euro, a “I’m cold, freezing. But glad I’m glad I you do get the dopamine effect and you record that Canny’s team is hoping to came down,” says Eve Lonergan, a second do feel amazing afterwards.” clear. year University of Galway student. She She first attended the event two years Local businesses in Salthill, such as hugs herself against the wind, while water ago and enjoyed it enough to get involved Álainn—a specialty coffee and superfood drips down her hair. with the team. café — are enjoying seeing more custom“It’s a bit of fun, and once you do it you “It’s very social, because you know the ers. “Business has been great because of Irish love drinking, and it’s nice to do Coldvember,” says Sean Fleming, Álainn’s can feel proud of yourself.” Students rise early and make their way something social that doesn’t revolve manager. He works the coffee machine as to the event for various reasons. For Felix around drinking”. he talks, while shivering students line up O’Neal, a first year University of Galway Beyond offering another opportunity at the register. student, it was to challenge himself to for students to socialise, Coldvember “Definitely between 7am and 9am exercise more. “Feeling a lot better now, — which is running for a sixth consec- there’s a lot more people than there like I’m doing something with myself,” utive year — has evolved into a major he says. fundraising event and a boom for local Continued on Page 2