Bendigo will host a 24-hour Mega Swim event for Multiple Sclerosis for the first time with eager swimmers being urged to sign up.
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The event will support Bendigo residents who have been diagnosed with MS as well as raising money for the MS Go For Gold scholarships.
Teams will swim for 24 hours straight at the Gurri Wanyarra Wellbeing Centre on August 17 and 18.
Bendigo MS Peer Support Group member and local swimmer Wayne Turner hoped the event would raise more awareness for MS in the region.
"It fantastic to have this launched. It will get a lot more awareness out there especially in adults," he said.
"Children seem to know a lot through the MS Readathon and as you become an adult it kind of drifts away and if it doesn't affect you, you're not too worried about it. So awareness is a big thing."
Mr Turner has been living with MS for 17 years.
"It's terrible. Things slow down and you just have to keep going," he said. "It was probably worse years ago than it is now.
"For me, the exercise I do each day - swimming and walking - that's kind of my day done. I don't fit too much more in because you only have so much energy."
Jodie Haythorpe who is a Bendigo MS ambassador said about 100 people are registered with MS in Bendigo.
"This event supports people in Bendigo who have MS and their families and loved ones," she said.
"We have a Bendigo MS support group on the first Tuesday of every month which is beneficial for people who have MS and the loved ones.
"It decreases their isolation and it's good for them to meet and debrief with (other people)."
Multiple Sclerosis Ltd Victoria event manager Kelly Tyndall said the MS Mega Swim has been going for 19 years.
"This is the first event in Bendigo," she said. "It's great to see new people from new communities coming together and it broadens the awareness for MS.
"More people are being diagnosed with MS. There's 25,000 Australians living with MS."
Ms Tyndall said you don't have to be an Olympic swimmer to participate in the Mega Swim.
"Teams are up to 15 people and you can swim one lap or 100 laps. It really doesn't matter," she said.
"At the end of the event we calculate what each team has swum as a collective.
"The funds raised by the Mega Swim go to the Go For Gold scholarship which is awarded to people living with MS who wish to pursue a dream like travel or studying."
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