Tuesday, 28 December 2004

As many as 3,000 paddlers, support crew and Red Cross Volunteers are due to set sail on the worlds longest flat water canoe race, the 36th annual Red Cross Herald Sun Murray Marathon

Likely stars of the five-day event are Geelong paddlers Karingal Adventure Based Learning participants. A locally based not-for-profit organisation, Karingal aims to improve the lives of people with disabilities through real-life hands-on situations.

According to Dean Lobbe, Program Coordinator and mentor for the children, entering the 404-kilometre Red Cross Herald Sun Murray Marathon enables these individuals to achieve a personal goal, as well as realise the importance of assisting others in the community.

"For many of the people at Karingal this is one of the biggest challenges they've ever had to face. It takes huge mental commitment for our students to sit still and concentrate on only doing one thing at a time. This is a learning experience for life" said Dean.

The ten paddlers and six ground crew from Karingal have been in intense training for the 404-kilometre marathon for six months. This included physical training such as the development of balance skills and paddle timing, as well as intense mental training assisting attention span and the ability to keep focused.

This year's event sees participants from all from as young as 13 and as mature as 71, paddling individually or in teams to support the Red Cross.

It is hoped the Marathon will raise over $200,000 for the Australian Red Cross, with funds raised supporting Red Cross activities, such as disaster and emergency services and first aid training.

"The funds raised from this event are crucial to providing services for the local community," said John Powell, Group Manager of Fundraising, Australian Red Cross, Victoria "We rely on support from the Australian public to provide our services, and we are thrilled that so many people have come together to support us".

The paddlers will complete their journey in Swan Hill on New Years Eve where Red Cross First Aid and masseuse volunteers, caring partners, family and friends will be eagerly awaiting first sight of their loved ones.

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