Swimmers raise thousands

More than 60 swimmers took to the water at Albany Leisure and Aquatic Centre last Saturday, raising $15,234 for local multiple sclerosis sufferers.

Participants in the 2013 Albany Swim for the Multiple Sclerosis Society of WA took turns continuously swimming laps over 10 hours to equal the distance of Princess Royal Harbour, a total of 20km or 800 laps. Great Southern Multiple Sclerosis support group leader Caroline Clarke-Smith said she was touched by the support the event received.

“Some of the supportive comments posted online have been amazing and it shows they care enough about others to spend their Saturday swimming up and down a pool,” she said.

The six teams, the Albany Pod, Albany Surf Club, Just Frigging Do Its, Denmark Creepy Crawlies, Grammar Turtles and St Joseph’s College Saints, engaged in some friendly rivalry to determine which team could raise the most money and swim the most laps.

St Joseph College Saints claimed first place by raising $6180 and clocking up 1250 laps.

The Denmark Creepy Crawlies raised $3348 to win second place.

Tahlia Williamson raised $2655 to claim the top individual spot, closely followed by Rebecca Hueppauff who raised $2005. Ms Clarke-Smith said last year’s inaugural event raised $17,000, which was used to buy an electronic physiotherapy couch for the support group’s 75 members.

Multiple sclerosis is the most common disease of the central nervous system, affecting more than 20,000 Australians. On average, 16 cases are diagnosed each month in WA, with no known cause or cure.