Swimmers smash fundraising total on 10th anniversary
HUNDREDS of swimmers raised thousands of dollars at the tenth annual Murray Rose Malabar Magic Ocean Swim.
Southern Courier
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HUNDREDS of swimmers raised thousands of dollars at the tenth annual Murray Rose Malabar Magic Ocean Swim.
Organisers of the charity open water has planned to raise $100,000. But such was the success of the tenth running of the event, it is expected the total will exceed $200,000.
The event, which had a 1km, 2.5km and a 10km group swim, was once again held at Malabar beach in aid of the Rainbow Club charity.
The charity helps children with disabilities to learn to swim.
The winner of both distances for the men’s group was Joshua Attard while Isabella Coghlan took the spoils for the women.
Olympic legend Dawn Fraser on hand to fire the starting pistol, describing it as an “honour and a privilege”.
She was joined by special guests Paralympian Louise Sauvage and retired Australian swim team captain Matthew Abood. The event is named after the late swimming star Murray Rose, who was a supporter of the event.
“We had a record number of simmers this year taking part: approximately 1,200 across the distances,” event organiser Rob Lloyd said.
“We had hoped to raise to $100,000 to we have raised $200,000. It’s a fantastic achievement.
What was most exciting was we had 40 Rainbow Club children take part in the swim.
“It was great to see that the money raised makes a real difference.”
Among the Rainbow Club youngsters to take part in the swim was Will McHutchison.
The teenager, pictured on the left of Dawn Fraser below, could not swim before coming across the Rainbow Club.
But at the weekend he completed the 1km swim in a very competitive 22 minutes.
For more details visit malabarmagicoceanswim.com.au.