Record swim bid

Kwinana Rotary Club members will be donning their bathers and swimming caps in a bid to help eradicate polio.

The Kwinana swimmers will take part in a world-wide swimathon that will be part of a Guinness World Record attempt for the greatest number of people swimming at the same time.

The event is coordinated by the Rotary Club of Grantham in the UK, and Kwinana Rotary Club international manager James Sharkey said it was part of a 20-year commitment by Rotary to eradicate the disease.

‘‘Funds raised through the swimathon will help Rotary raise $200 million to match $355 million in challenge grants received from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation,’’ Mr Sharkey said.

‘‘The $555 million will support immunisation campaigns in developing countries where polio continues to infect and paralyse children, robbing them of their futures and compounding the hardships faced by families.’’

The event, held at the Kwinana Recquatic Centre on February 25, will start at 7pm.

It is being supported by Tony Ball, president of the Kwinana Swimming Club, together with other members of the swimming club.

Swimming will start from 8pm.

Mr Sharkey said swimmers were required to swim 100m non-stop and unassisted within the hour.

‘‘In accordance with the rules, photographic evidence of this event, together with statements from two independent witnesses will be submitted to Grantham club to confirm that the event has taken place.’’

Entry is $10 and spectators are encouraged to make a gold-coin donation to the End Polio now campaign.

Swimmers from New Zealand, The Philippines, South Africa, Hong Kong, Portugal, India, USA, Canada and Croatia are also registered for the swimathon.

More information is available from Genevieve Carr on 9419 3353 or gendam@bigpond.net.au.