MORE than $17,500 was raised for multiple sclerosis at the Bunbury Swim for MS on the weekend, bringing the event’s total to more than $100,000 in just three years.
The fundraising event saw eight teams and one solo swimmer take to the pool at the South West Sports Centre on Sunday to swim for 10 hours straight.
Emily Symons tackled the challenge on her own and racked up 416 laps, raising more than $1800.
The Whitton family has taken part in the event each year, but this year an important team member was missing.
Leschenault man Colin Whitton was tragically killed in a workplace accident at Worsley in September last year, leaving behind his wife Lynda, four children, their partners, and grandchildren.
Colin was an advocate for multiple sclerosis awareness after Lynda was diagnosed 20 years ago.
Lynda became president of the Bunbury MS outreach group and has spread the awareness message as far as Parliament House in Canberra.
This year Colin’s two eldest sons Paul and Brent made up a team, Colin’s Crew, and they raised $6800.
Multiple sclerosis is a disease of the central nervous system – it may affect the brain, spinal cord and/or optic nerve.
All money raised from this swim will stay in the South West.
