Are you ready to swim the length of the Great Barrier Reef? Raising money to help protect the reef, local metal work and mathematics teacher, Josh Scott-Jouir is joining the annual swimathon, held by environmental lawyers for the community EDO Qld to raise funds for vital legal work to protect the Reef. This will be the first swimathon held for the reef at Mullumbimby Pool taking place from 11:30am – 2:30pm on Saturday 21st January.
‘There is no denying the Great Barrier Reef has had a terrible year, between the worst mass coral bleaching in its history to the approval of projects that pose further enormous risk to its future,’ EDO Qld CEO Jo Bragg said.
‘We are hosting Swim for the Reef to raise much-needed funds and awareness to fight for stronger laws to protect the Reef including meaningful community rights.
‘As non-profit lawyers for the community, we want to increase our impact future-proofing this great natural wonder and the thousands of livelihoods dependent upon its good health.’
Last year 150 swimmers from Brisbane, Bundaberg and Germany swam 285km, equivalent to swimming from the northern tip of Fraser Island to Innamincka Shoal. The EDO is hoping to double the distance swum this year with the ultimate goal being to swim the full length of the Great Barrier Reef – a whooping 2,300km or the length of 46,000 Olympic swimming pools.
‘I’m super passionate about climate change,’ said Josh who is organising the Mullumbimby event. ‘Climate change is the number one issue for the whole world. We need to leave the coal in the ground.’
Money raised from the event goes directly towards work the EDO is doing including education of community groups on the laws and their rights as well as assisting in court cases that help protect the reef.
Bring along a crazy team of swimmers and see if you can swim more laps than Josh’s Mullum Sand Mullets. Families are welcome with big and little laps all contributing to the cause. ‘It would be nice to fill the whole pool,’ said Josh. Sponsor the Mullum Sand Mullets here or on the day at the pool, general sponsorship and donations can be made through swim for the reef.
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