Fundraiser fights polio from the pool

Swimmers notched up 545 lengths to help fight against polio yesterday, from left are: Todd McClay, Alan Soloman, Joseph Boles, 9, Ali Billing and James Billing. Photo/Stephen Parker

Rotorua swimmers took the plunge to help eradicate polio in a worldwide swimarathon.

Rotorua Aquatic Centre hosted the third annual Sunrise Rotorua Rotary Club worldwide Swimarathon fundraiser yesterday. Similar events were held by Rotary clubs around the globe and were backed by the Bill Gates Foundation - End Polio Now. For every $1 raised, the foundation matched it with $2.

"We're aiming to raise $2000 so that will become $6000," said swim co-ordinator and Rotary member Heinz Fett.

"This event is building in Rotorua and we hope to make it bigger every year. It will carry on until the project is complete."

This year, 19 swimmers took part, including Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick and Rotorua MP Todd McClay, joined by two of his children. He swam 10 lengths, while Sam swam 25 and Ana-Kiera completed 32.

Rotorua hotel manager James Billing swam the furthest with 100 lengths - 5km, his wife Ali notched up 60. In total, there were 545 lengths counted by organisers. The fundraiser took over five lanes for two hours.

"Once people get to understand what polio is all about and Rotary's commitment to it they're more inclined to give it a go," said Sunrise Rotary president Sue Gunn.