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Last Chance To Sign Up For The YMCA Swimathon 2013

Tuesday, 12th February 2013

With less than three weeks to go until the YMCA Swimathon 2013, it’s time to ‘Dive In and Help Out’ by raising funds to give people with a disability access to vital swimming lessons.

The YMCA Swimathon 2013 will be held at 25 YMCA pools in NSW between 10am-11am on Sunday 3 March. Nationally, more than 50 YMCA pools will be taking part, making it Australia’s biggest swimming event.

The YMCA Swimathon really does change lives. Take the story of nine-year-old Alyssa Corby and her sisters Sharni (5) and Darcy (3), who have autism. Although autism makes it difficult for the girls to join in many activities that other children take for granted, they are now able to have fun and be confident in the water thanks to swimming lessons they received from funds raised in the YMCA Swimathon in 2012.

When Alyssa started swimming lessons at the Y she screamed in fear at the thought of going in the pool. “Now, she’s so at ease”, remarked her mother, Sandra. “You wouldn’t think she’s the same child.

“When you have a child with autism which affects them emotionally, physically and socially and then you see them enjoying something like swimming with all the other kids, it’s such a great thing,” said Sandra.

“The skills they’ve learnt have enabled them to be safe, confident and happy in the water.”

Alyssa, along with sister Jamieson, eight, who doesn’t have autism, are going to swim laps at the YMCA Swimathon 2013 to help out more children living with a disability. They’ve appropriately called themselves ‘Team Dolphin’.

Phillip Hare, CEO, YMCA NSW, is urging communities across NSW to Dive In and Help Out so more children like the Corby sisters are given access to vital life-saving swimming lessons.

“We’re challenging everyone to pledge How Far they will swim and How Much they will raise to fund vital swimming lessons for people with a disability in their local community,” he said.

“At the Y, we believe there should be no barrier to anyone being able to learn to swim and feel confident in the water.

“Every dollar counts with $15 providing one Learn-to-Swim lesson for a child with a disability.”

Registrations are free and open now at www.ymcaswimathon.org.au or at any YMCA pool.

ENDS

Media contact:

For a full list of participating pools, or for interviews and photo opportunities please contact:

Celia Britton

Public Relations Officer

YMCA NSW

P: (02) 9633 8243

E: celia.britton@ymca.org.au