**MEDIA RELEASE**
EMBARGOED RELEASE UNTIL:3 December 2014 - International Day of People with Disability
YMCA Swimathon 2015 Splashes Out for People with Disabilities
The YMCA is on a mission to make swimming accessible for everyone!
Today is International Day of People with Disability and the launch of the2015 YMCA Swimathonwhich will be held at 60 pool across Australiaon Sunday 1 March from 11am -12am to support people with disabilities experience how fun it is to swim and be safe around water.
The YMCA Swimathon encourages people of all ages and abilities to splash out for a great causebecause too often those in our community with disabilities are missing out on the chance to enjoy safe access to water and swimming, due to a lack of access to swimming lessons, pools and specialist equipment.
The YMCA wants that to change and is on a mission to make swimming accessible for everyone!
As a national fundraiser, last year the event saw more than 2,500 people participate in55 pools and raise $230,000 for their local communities. This year, the YMCA wants toraise $250,000 to support more than 1,600 people with disabilities.
You don’t have to be an elite swimmer to participate – there’s something for everyone says YMCA Australia CEO, Ron Mell
“You don’t even have to swim! You can walk up and down the pool for an hour if you like! Or you can swim with flippers. Or if you’re a regular swimmer – set yourself a target for how far you can swim in an hour, and how much money you can raise! Then join everyone after for a family fun day to celebrate our success together.”
People can splash out and register for the YMCA Swimathon at or ask at their local participating YMCA.
Contact: YMCA Media Specialist Eugene Benson, 0407 806 330 or 9403 5052
YMCA Swimathon Fast Facts
- 60 pools across Australia – from the Top End to Tassie!
- Held on the first Sunday in March – in 2015 it’s on Sunday 1st March
- 2015 Target - $250,000 and support for over 1,600 people with disabilities
- The YMCA Swimathon is now in its fourth year and to date has raised $525,000 – by 2017 we aim to raise $500,000 a year.
- In NSW alone last year 1200 children with disabilities were put through the YMCA Swimability program with funds raised in the event
- The YMCA is the largest provider of swimming lessons in Australia, recording 4.3 million participations in its swimming lessons in 2013/14.
About YMCA
The YMCA is a community-based charity that delivers programs and services to provide opportunity for each and every person to be healthy, happy and connected in more than 700 YMCAs across Australia. The YMCA's ability to positively impact people's lives, strengthen communities and respond proactively to many of today's biggest social challenges is significant, with more than 30 million participations in the last 12 months in the areas of health and wellbeing, recreation, accommodation, children’s services, camping, aquatics, young people and family services.
Why we do it…..
Maddison and Kayla Parker are set to swim in their third YMCA Swimathon at Derrimut Health and Aquatic Centre on March 1. Maddison and Kayla both have Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that leaves them prone to chronic joint pain and dislocation. But Maddison said swimming was the one thing she could do, virtually pain free.
"Having Ehlers –Danlos syndrome, I know what it's like to have a disability and not be able to do some things," she said. "I have had help from lots of people and it's a great feeling when you can do something to help someone else."
Pictured (left to right): Kayla Parker age 9 and Maddison Parker age 12.