Craig McKibbin, with his 4-year-old son Cooper McKibbon. Photo / Duncan Brown
Craig McKibbin, with his 4-year-old son Cooper McKibbon. Photo / Duncan Brown
Swimming the perimeter of Lake Waikaremoana in memory of his slain brother, with funds going to the Flaxmere's U-Turn Trust, is a feat that has seen Craig McKibbin featured in the Flaxmere Heroes Calendar.
Despite living in Waikato with his whanau, 'Mr February' will always have a strong connection withFlaxmere.
Before his brother Glenn McKibbin was tragically killed in the line of duty in 1996, he served as a police constable in the community.
Between February 8 and 18 last year, Craig swam the lake's 85-kilometre perimeter to raise money for the community his brother protected and to mark 20 years since his untimely death.
Like Glenn, he also wanted to do his bit for the Flaxmere community and in doing so, he raised $11,000 for the group that helps troubled youth.
"I saw it as the perfect organisation for me to support with this swim."
The unassisted swim took seven days to complete with more than 25 hours of total swim time, all while towing a raft carrying all his food and camping equipment on board.
"It was a lot of fun, but also a lot of hard work and it really did push my limits.
"It is a huge honour to be honest. Just seeing the calibre of people who have been nominated as heroes and to be a part of that group is very humbling and a huge honour. It's sort of nice to have that acknowledged and if it inspires other people then all the better."
Mr McKibbin said his brother would of loved that he had completed the challenge.
"He liked to push boundaries, and was very proud and protective of his younger brother," he said.
