In the swim for MS

March 2019

THE LIONS Club of Hadspen South Esk is co-hosting with City of Launceston Lions the LAUNCESTON MS 24 Hour Mega Swim 2019.

The event will be held on Saturday 18th May & Sunday 19th May at the Launceston Leisure and Aquatic Centre.

The MS 24 Hour Mega Swim is a fun team relay event where teams have a swimmer in the water for the entire 24 hours and compete for laps swum and money raised. It is one of Australia’s most popular and fastest-growing fundraising events, bringing communities together in support of people living with multiple sclerosis.

Launceston raised over $20,000, with 5 teams and 60 participants in 2017 with great community support. This year the event is hoping to raise another $20,000.

Over fifteen MS 24 Hour Mega Swim events take place across ACT, NSW, TAS and VIC each year, hosting family-friendly, all ages events.

In 2018, nearly 3,000 participants swam over 400 hours across Australia, raising over $850,000 to support people living with multiple sclerosis. Events are organised by local committees with support from MS.

Now in its 18th year of the event, the MS 24 Hour Mega Swim was originated by Carol Cooke AM, an Australian Paralympian living with MS who had a vision of bringing people together to raise funds for multiple sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis is the most common neurological disease in young adults and diagnosis is typically between 20 and 40 years of age, although onset of symptoms may be earlier.

Funds raised go to people living with multiple sclerosis by funding the Go for Gold Scholarship Program and Financial Assistance Programs.

Go for Gold Scholarships allow people living with multiple sclerosis to reach their potential in life. They provide direct and immediate support for some of the 25,600 Australians living with multiple sclerosis.

To donate or sign up go to megaswim@ms.org.au or you can call 1300 733 690.