As our paralympians carve up the pool in London another athlete is swimming his own race closer to home.

James Pittar is a blind marathon swimmer who will tackle the Sydney coastline to raise money for The Fred Hollows Foundation this September.

Covering 12 kms in the surf from Collaroy to Shelly Beach near Manly, James will be joined by 19 other swimmers for the last 2 km stretch as they swim into North Steyne beach.

Pittar says he's chosen to share his latest challenge with other swimmers for a number of special reasons.

“There are going to be 20 of us because 2012 is the 20th Anniversary of The Fred Hollows Foundation and it’s also their goal to end avoidable blindness by the year 2020."

“The Foundation can restore sight for as little as $25, so if every swimmer can raise $1,000, that's enough money to restore sight to as many as 800 people."

James started fundraising for The Fred Hollows Foundation over five years ago through his impressive long distance swims.

Adding to a swag of accolades, James has competed in World Championships for both rowing and swimming. In 2010, he was inducted into the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame alongside Australia’s Des Renford and Susie Maroney.

Through the support of ordinary Australians and fundraisers like James, The Foundation has restored sight to millions of people worldwide over the past 20 years.

There are still 39 million people in the world who are blind, but tragically 4 out of 5 of these don't need to be. 

To support James’s big swim and help him restore sight to others, please make a donation via James's online fundraising page.
 
Swim details
Date & Time: September 23, 2012 at 8am

Venue start: Collaroy beach

Venue finish: North Steyne beach, estimated finish time 12-12.30pm

For media enquires or photo opportunities please contact James Pittar: Mobile - +61 419 478 675 +61 419 478 675 | Email - [email protected]
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