YMCA Swimathon wins South Australian award

The YMCA Swimathon has received the 2015 Parks and Leisure Australia Award of Excellence in the event category in South Australia and the Northern Territory.

This tops off an outstanding event 2015 Swimathon which grew by 46% to raise $336,000 that will go towards supporting over 4,800 Australians with disabilities to access the water and learn to swim at their local YMCA.

Over 6,000 people at 60 YMCA managed pools from the Top End to Tassie participated on 1 March and demonstrated the YMCA’s dedication to its Vision by providing each and every person opportunity to be healthy, happy and more connected to their communities.

YMCA Australia Chief Executive Ron Mell said no Australian should miss out on learning how to swim, stating “through the YMCA Swimathon we want everyone to have the opportunity to learn to swim.

“With the funds raised we will be focusing on upskilling our swim teachers to teach people with disabilities to learn to swim, purchasing accessibility equipment, and subsidising the cost of swim lessons.”

The Parks and Leisure Australia National Awards will be held in August where the YMCA Swimathon is a finalist in the events category for the second year running.

The YMCA Swimathon encourages people of all ages and abilities to dive in and swim laps to help give people with disabilities in the community the chance to learn vital swimming and water safety skills. The YMCA believes there should be no barriers to anyone being able to learn to enjoy and be safer in and around water. All money raised from the YMCA Swimathon is reinvested in the local community where it was raised.

For more information go to www.ymcaswimathon.org.au

Image: Representatives from YMCA Top End and YMCA South Australia accepting the PLA Award of Excellence in Events.

25th February 2015 - THOUSANDS SET TO SPLASH OUT IN YMCA SWIMATHON