Swimarathon raising awareness of Polio

Rotorua hotel manager James Billing has set his sights to swim 100 lengths to raise money for Rotary International and help eradicate polio in the world. Photo/Ben Fraser

James Billing has learned to swim fast.

He grew up in Zimbabwe water skiing on a crocodile infested Lake Kabila.

The Rotorua hotel manager will have other targets to meet next weekend - namely his brother's taunting - when he tackles the third annual Sunrise Rotorua Rotary Club worldwide Swimarathon fundraiser for polio.

Mr Billing wants to swim 100 lengths of the Aquatic Centre outdoor pool next Sunday - and has got his brother to sponsor him $1 a length. His wife will also sponsor him at 50 cents a length.

The former triathlete said he had not done a lot of training but hoped to make up for lost time with an intensive schedule this week. "It is a worthy cause and after living and growing up in Africa I saw the effects of polio first hand," he said.

"It's a horrible disease and vaccination is so cheap which makes it worse to consider that is still widespread."

Mr Billing has two hours to swim his 100 lengths - equivalent to five kilometres.

"My pride is on the line with my brother so I will giving it my best although I'm not sure if I will manage it. "My wife knows better than my brother that when I say I will do something I usually do - that's why she has only sponsored me 50 cents."

He planned to take one kilometre at a time. "I fancy my chances but I won't be holding my breath."

For every $1 the Sunrise Rotary Club raise, Microsoft billionaire Bill and Melinda Gates will double it with $2.

"The fundraising is a global campaign and millions of dollars will be raised in an effort to rid the world of this terrible disease," said Sunrise Rotary member Kay Clarke. Rotary International has been working with the World Health Organisation for 25 years and had helped eradicate 99 per cent of polio in the world.

"We are very close to reaching our final goal," she said. "So we're trying to encourage any and all swimmers to participate in the event.

"A few lengths from each would help tremendously and it would be fun. There will be a barbecue and refreshments available on the day. It is the third year of Swimarathon to be held on Rotary Day February 23.

With the support of the Bill Gates Foundation - End Polio Now - the event could raise more than $500,000 this year, Mrs Clarke said.