The Rotary Global Swimarathon

Swimmers of all capabilities are being urged to participate in an upcoming fundraiser towards the ongoing fight against polio.

Mossman Rotary Club is taking part in a world-wide swim-marathon on Saturday, February 25, following on from their English Rotarian counterparts, according to Mossman Rotary’s, Roby Kessler.

“The past 22 years have seen the Rotary Club of Grantham, England, hold the highly successful Rotary Swimarathon, raising over £500,000 for local charities and deserving causes,” Roby said.

“In 2012 they are holding an extra event in the form of a Rotary Global Swimarathon - setting a new world record (presently 2533) for the most number of people swimming at the same time anywhere in the world and raising funds towards Rotary International’s worldwide project to eradicate polio.”

The event will take place at Mossman pool on Saturday 25th February 2012 at midday until 1pm GMT – or 10pm to 11pm Mossman time.

To qualify for the world record attempt, swimmers will have to swim just 100 metres without stopping within the hour.

There will be a nominal entrance fee, all of which goes towards the Rotary Foundation’s 20-year campaign to rid the world of polio.

Monies raised will help Rotary raise $200 million to match $355 million in challenge grants received from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

The resulting $555 million will directly support immunisation campaigns in developing countries where polio continues to infect and paralyse children.

So far registrations for the world-wide event have been received from New Zealand, Australia, The Philippines, South Africa, Hong Kong, Portugal, India, USA, Canada, Croatia and the United Kingdom.

Any individual or teams of swimmers wanting to participate in the event at Mossman can contact Roby Kessler at robyk@westnet.com.au or phone 0418 750 005.