Albany swimmers dive in to raise $34,000 for MSWA in 13th annual eight-hour ALAC pool fundraising challenge
More than 100 swimmers took the plunge at the Albany Leisure and Aquatic Centre on May 3 to raise $34,000 for MSWA.
The 13th MSWA annual Swim for a Cause fundraising challenge was an eight-hour marathon in aid of the charity which helps people affected by neurological conditions and disabilities.
The Albany swim has now raised more than $300,000 for MSWA, formerly known as the Multiple Sclerosis Society of WA.
Participants swam a combined total of 9900 laps of the 25m pool and MSWA community fundraising events officer Trish Watson said the event was always a highlight.
'Out of all the ones we do, this one really hits home,' she said.
Nine teams took part with Great Southern Grammar swimming the most laps, working a roster that included students and staff.
They managed an impressive 1489 laps.
Team Marines, who support Marina Pietropaolo who has MS, were the biggest money raisers with a total of $11,400.
Team Marines member Rechelle Wright was the individual who raised the most cash with her total of $3640.
Ms Watson said Team Marines were long-time supporters of the event.
'Marina has been taking part since 2010 and a lot of her team have been supporting her since then,' she said.
'It's great that she jumps in with them.
'The event's success is testament to the ongoing generosity and dedication of the local community, and we look forward to seeing it grow in the future.'
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West Australian
07-05-2025
- West Australian
Albany swimmers dive in to raise $34,000 for MSWA in 13th annual eight-hour ALAC pool fundraising challenge
More than 100 swimmers took the plunge at the Albany Leisure and Aquatic Centre on May 3 to raise $34,000 for MSWA. The 13th MSWA annual Swim for a Cause fundraising challenge was an eight-hour marathon in aid of the charity which helps people affected by neurological conditions and disabilities. The Albany swim has now raised more than $300,000 for MSWA, formerly known as the Multiple Sclerosis Society of WA. Participants swam a combined total of 9900 laps of the 25m pool and MSWA community fundraising events officer Trish Watson said the event was always a highlight. 'Out of all the ones we do, this one really hits home,' she said. Nine teams took part with Great Southern Grammar swimming the most laps, working a roster that included students and staff. They managed an impressive 1489 laps. Team Marines, who support Marina Pietropaolo who has MS, were the biggest money raisers with a total of $11,400. Team Marines member Rechelle Wright was the individual who raised the most cash with her total of $3640. Ms Watson said Team Marines were long-time supporters of the event. 'Marina has been taking part since 2010 and a lot of her team have been supporting her since then,' she said. 'It's great that she jumps in with them. 'The event's success is testament to the ongoing generosity and dedication of the local community, and we look forward to seeing it grow in the future.'
West Australian
30-04-2025
- West Australian
Fran Hurndall to attempt world record by running from Perth to Sydney and raise money for DV victims
When Fran Hurndall starts running from Cottesloe Beach on Thursday, her sights set on Sydney as she covers the equivalent of three marathons a day, she knows that intense mental and physical pain awaits. But propelling her forward as she covers 110km for a gruelling 12 to 14 hours each day is the strength of survivors of domestic violence, such as her sister. Ms Hurndall is attempting to break a world record as the first woman to run the 3800km from Perth to Sydney in under 40 days — but raising awareness and funds for domestic violence support in Australia is the target that means the most to her. Her goal is to make $1 million for RizeUp Australia, which provides life-saving support for families impacted by domestic abuse. By doing so, she is also giving a voice to her sister. 'In 2024, I found out my sister in the UK had been suffering in a domestic violence relationship, we had no idea and she was trying to raise a child under five,' Ms Hurndall said. 'She escaped in the middle of the night and luckily she had somewhere safe to go, but so many people don't get that opportunity. 'The most beautiful thing is that by doing this run I've given my sister a voice to start her healing journey and that's what I hope others will be able to do.' Ms Hurndall is a former professional soccer player, who was scouted by Arsenal Ladies at 13 and represented England at 15. Now based in Australia, in 2023 she set a Guinness World Record by dribbling a soccer ball 1000km from the Gold Coast to Sydney, while raising funds for Women Sport Australia. Before taking off from Cottesloe on Thursday, she said this latest feat would be her most challenging. The journey will take her through the Nullarbor Plain and the Great Victoria desert in south-central Australia, burning an average of 8000 calories a day and going through more than 10 pairs of shoes as she runs for up to 14 hours a day. 'There is going to be a lot of pain but 70 per cent of this is a mental game,' she said. 'Running 110km a day is nothing compared to being in a domestic violence relationship, so that's the mindset that I've taken. 'I think in a weird way, part of me is going do die on this trip and I'm going to be a completely different person at the end, but that person is going to be stronger on the other side.' Ms Hurndall will be supported by a logistics team in two vans providing food and water, and a trailer for sleeping. She will also have the support of partner Natalie Gidas, who works in police forensics and has investigated numerous domestic violence and homicide cases, including the murder of Hannah Clarke and her children in Queensland in 2020. Besides raising money, Ms Hurndall hopes to bring widespread attention to the issue of domestic violence. 'I just want to ... make it easier for people to talk about these things and for people to get help when when they need it,' she said.
News.com.au
28-04-2025
- News.com.au
Potential Group 1 star Beau Dazzler who can be ‘beaten a furlong in trials'
He is the horse who often gets lapped in trials but can deliver the father and daughter training team of Tony and Maddy Sears their first Group 1 during the Queensland winter carnival. Beau Dazzler will resume on Saturday in the Group 2 Queensland Guineas (1600m) which is the first plank of a mission leading to the Group 1 Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm on May 31. Bookmakers rate him highly, as the $11 third pick in Derby betting, as the family training team looks to score their first Group 1. There may be even bigger fish to fry later this year, with Tony Sears holding the three-year-old colt in such high esteem as a staying prospect that big goals in the Melbourne spring could yet be contemplated. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! It's just as well though that Beau Dazzler, last seen putting two victories on the bounce in December including a Group 3 event at Eagle Farm, knows the difference between trials and races. In his official trials in his young career he has been beaten 7.2 lengths, 4.5 lengths, 4.8 lengths, 18.7 lengths and 12 lengths. Beau Dazzler motors away in the G3 Grand Prix for a big win! @MS_SearsRacing | @SearsMaddy | @ChesterJag | @BrisRacingClub — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) December 14, 2024 'He has always gone bad in trials, I've seen him get tailed off and be beaten a furlong,' Tony Sears chuckled. 'But I really think he is a good horse and he is a true stayer. 'You don't know, he could end up anywhere in any race over a distance. 'Anything over 2000m is a bonus to him. 'You could possibly see him in the spring carnival. 'It would be terrific to win a Group 1 and it would be unbelievable to win it in partnership with Maddysen. 'It would also be great for connections, all of a sudden they would have a valuable colt.' Beau Dazzler has been racing on raw ability for most of his career but the winter carnival will test whether he could be a high calibre stayer. Team Sears will stick with Queensland jockey Jag Guthmann-Chester for Beau Dazzler's return run in the $350,000 Guineas at Eagle Farm on Saturday. It is unlikely Beau Dazzler will be fighting out the finish over the 1600m trip – but watch for him late. 'He is pretty fit but I think he will probably just be warming up late in the Guineas,' Sears said. 'He has turned into quite a stayer. 'You probably won't see him at his best until the Derby.' "I think he'll be a force to be reckoned with in the Qld Derby" Hear from @SearsMaddy and @ChesterJag after Beau Dazzler's dazzling win in the Grand Prix! @MS_SearsRacing | @BrisRacingClub — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) December 14, 2024 * 'Absolutely brilliant': Jokers Grin has last laugh in The Quokka Meanwhile, Sears indicated established stable star Yellow Brick would resume in next month's Group 3 BRC Sprint (1350m at Doomben) en route to the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap. The training team would have loved to have deployed Yellow Brick in the Stradbroke in previous years, but his rating of 107 will this year guarantee him a spot in Queensland's most prestigious race. 'He will go second-up into the Stradbroke because most of the time, he performs best second-up,' Sears said. Yellow Brick is rated a $15 chance in early betting on the Stradbroke. Yuna Is Pierata leads from start to finish to win for Tony and Maddy Sears in the Ipswich opener! ðŸ'� @SearsMaddy — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 9, 2025 Apart from Beau Dazzler, one to watch from the Sears' stable at Eagle Farm on Saturday is unbeaten two-year-old colt Yuna Is Pierata. The young son of Pierata will contest the Listed Dalrello Stakes (1000m) after destroying his opposition on debut at the Ipswich midweeks earlier this month.
