AusLeisure

Hundreds of swimming enthusiasts across the country helped to raise in excess of $100,000 to fund YMCA charitable programs in their local communities as part of the inaugural YMCA Swimathon on Sunday 11th March.

While there are still two weeks left for participants to finalise their fundraising efforts, preliminary results show in excess of $100,000 has been raised across more than 100 YMCA-owned or managed pools that hosted the event, with this amount continuing to rise.

Across the country, all fundraising dollars will stay local to each participating pool to help them expand their nominated charitable program for the benefit of those doing it tough in their local community, such as vital learn-to-swim classes for children with special needs.

YMCA Chief Executive Ron Mell, said he was overwhelmed with the community spirit shown on the day of the YMCA Swimathon and the generosity of people who dug deep to support a number of local YMCA programs targeting disadvantaged Australians.

Mell explained "I'd like to personally commend and congratulate the people of Australia for diving in and helping out on Sunday and making the first YMCA Swimathon such a great success in its first year.

"With so many families across the country feeling the crippling effects of rising costs of living, the need for our services is now greater than ever. More than $100,000 has been raised by our generous, local communities which will go a long way to allow more people to live healthy and happy lives."

Mell added that Australians still keen to donate can do so for another two weeks by visiting the event website.

Current 100 metre World Freestyle Champion, James Magnussen, who is preparing to compete at the 2012 National Swimming Championships and 2012 London Olympics qualifying event, said the event was a great way to showcase the importance of swimming and congratulated all who took part.

Magnussen stated "I believe that everyone, regardless of their financial or social standing, should have the opportunity to learn life-saving skills such as swimming.

"Funds raised from the YMCA Swimathon will go towards helping people in need to learn to swim and participate in other programs that give them the chance to reach their full potential."

Participants of all ages and swimming abilities nominated a distance they wanted to swim ï¾ from an under 50-metres 'novelty swim' to 1,000-metres and beyond, and were required to commit to a fundraising target reflective of their age, such as $10 for under-fives or $50 for those aged 18 and above.

For more information go to www.ymcaswimathon.org.au

7th March 2012 - STILL TIME TO JOIN THE YMCA SWIMATHON

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