Paige Moorehead was the first female participant to complete the 11km swim event

A teaching assistant at Nambour Special School was the first woman to cross the finish line at the Island Charity Swim event.

Paige Moorehead in the post race interview after winning the 2021 Island Charity swim event. Picture: Island Charity Swim Facebook

The Island Charity Swim has seen a deserving winner take out the 11km swim event.

Paige Moorehead, 28, was the first female participant to cross the finish line in two hours and 45 minutes.

Carl Perkins, the first men to cross the line, finished the 11km event in just over two hours.

The event raises funds for the Sunshine Coasts special schools in Nambour, Currimundi and Palm View.

Ms Moorehead, who is a teaching assistant at Nambour Special School, said she was over the moon to win the race.

“It brought me to tears when I was coming up the beach towards the finish line,” she said.

Paige Moorehead being welcomed by the students and spectators. Picture: Island Charity Swim Facebook

She was greeted by a warm welcome from spectators and received many pats on the back from her students.

“It’s so lovely to see this event on show for the Sunshine Coast,” she said.

“To raise money and to give back to the school knowing that every dollar will help is an amazing feeling.

“It means so much to the students but also to the parents and the teachers as well.”

It’s the first time Ms Moorehead competed in the event.

She said she was amazed by just how much support these type of events received.

“When I moved here from America I saw how much of a tradition it is to support local charities and get involved in fundraisers,” she said.

“It’s just really cool to see how the Coast comes together in support of one and other and for the special needs population here.”

Event organiser Jason Crowther said the event attracted a great turnout after COVID-19 put a stop to fundraisers for 18 months.

“In the 3km event we had over 200 participants and in the 11km we had 47,” he said.

“The schools all took a hit last year due to no fundraising and no events so it’s great to have them back.”

Mr Crowther said there had been close to $45,000 raised in total.

“Our major goal is to raise $100,000 at one of these events in the future,” he said.

Mr Crowther thanked all participants and volunteers for helping out.

“Massive thanks to Mudjimba SLSC for their water safety, to the participants and to the special schools P&C’s for helping out by putting on recovery areas and supplying the athletes with food,” he said.

To donate, visit Island Charity Swim 2021