By Marcus Uhe
Forty swimmers from the Casey Cardinia Triathlon Squad will take part in the 2022 Casey MS Mega Swim on Saturday 22 October at Casey RACE to raise funds, awareness and support for Australians living with multiple sclerosis (MS).
The team will be required to swim continuously for 12 hours with participants alternating shifts in the water at all times.
The annual fundraising event aims to raise $15,000 – vital funds that benefit people living with MS through the MS Go for Gold Scholarships, Financial Assistance Programs and providing services to directly benefit people living with multiple sclerosis.
Captain of the squad Charles Pragnell is keen to return to the event after two cancelled years due to the pandemic.
“It’s about giving back and having the opportunity to be part of a team,” Mr Pragnell said.
“You don’t have to be the greatest swimmer. Some are coming back from injury or have their own injuries but are doing it just to participate.”
Members of the team range in capabilities and age, with the youngest participants still in primary school and the elders members of the team aged in their 60s.
Among those making a splash will be Mr Pragnell, an Ironman competitor preparing to jet to Utah next week, and Kelly Fitzgerald, who is on the comeback trail from a nasty cycling injury sustained late last year and is a constant inspiration for everyone at the club, Mr Pragnell said.
There’ll be plenty of support in and out of the water, with family and friends of those not participating in the swim lending their support by providing snacks and plenty of encouragement, encapsulating the spirit of the “village” that the squad resembles, according to Mr Pragnell.
MS Go for Gold Scholarships are awarded to people living with multiple sclerosis who wish to achieve a dream.
Scholarships are awarded in the categories of education, arts, travel, music, employment, and lifestyle and wellbeing.
MS Go for Gold award recipient Melanie Caple said receiving the award in 2020 was “like a dream come true”.
“MS Go for Gold Scholarship has allowed me the opportunity to update my computer and illustration software, so that I can draw digitally instead of having to create everything from scratch in a laborious way,” Ms Caple said.
The MS Mega Challenge event series is one of the fastest-growing community events in Australia with thousands taking part in regional, suburban, and metro events each year.
Founded in 2001 by Paralympian Carol Cooke AM, the MS Mega Challenge has since grown to swim, squash, racquetball and badminton events taking place across Victoria, New South Wales, Tasmania and the ACT every year.
To donate to the Casey-Cardinia Triathlon Squad’s efforts, head to msmegachallenge.org.au/event/mega-swim-casey
