CHEER SQUAD: Pool visitors Edan Johns, Lewis Thomas and Hamish Johns cheer on Wimmera Superintendent Graham Kent as he swims four kilometres on Sunday at Horsham Aquatic Centre to raise money for Horsham YMCA swimming programs. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER
Graham Kent after swimming 4000 metres to raise money for Horsham Aquatic Centre swimathon.
Graham Kent
Graham Kent
Graham Kent after swimming 4000 metres to raise money for Horsham Aquatic Centre swimathon.
WIMMERA Superintendent Graham Kent swam four kilometres in just over an hour in Horsham on Sunday to raise money through an annual YMCA Swimathon.
Mr Kent, YMCA Australia national council president, aims to raise $5000 before the end of March.
The money will be returned to swimming education at Horsham Aquatic Centre.
Funds raised will help make swimming lessons accessible for new migrants, special needs children or people who are unable to afford lessons.
Aquatic centre manager Steve Clark said the centre was also considering buying a hoist to enable disabled people to access the pool, because the centre had been using a borrowed one.
Mr Kent said his swim was great.
"I felt tired, but pretty good because it was a good swim," he said.
"I had swum that distance before.
"I swam it a bit faster than I usually do so that was good.
"As YMCA national council president, I was also really pleased and proud to take part.
"Across the nation people dived in and raised money to give access to swimming lessons to people who would not otherwise have that access."
Mr Kent has raised more than $1700 so far, while the nation-wide tally of more than $114,000 has exceeded the 2012 total.
Across Australia 1354 people did the swimathon.
Donations are open until the end of March.
Mr Kent said he was keen to see more support from Wimmera people.
"It would be awesome if there was a business which could match what we raise," he said.
Mr Clark swam 1500 metres on Sunday and has exceeded his $100 goal, raising $180 so far.
"My goal was moderate, so I was really happy with the outcome," he said.
"We also raised money through children's swimming lessons during the week leading up to the swimathon."
Ararat YMCA is also raising money for the swimathon this week, with about 60 children sponsored during their swimming lessons.
Mr Kent said people could donate by visiting www.everydayhero.com.au/graham_kent_5 or www.everydayhero.com.au/steve__clark.