Pay it Forward

Okay so I stole the title from a movie, but it is the only way I can think of to title what I wanted to say today.

You know life is funny, we all have our ups and downs but for the most part all my family and friends have a pretty good life.  We have a roof over our heads and food on the table.  Yes we dream of doing some things that we may not ever get to do, but that is what dreams are for aren’t they?  Eventually most of us will get to live those dreams, whether they be to travel somewhere exotic or to take that course we have always wanted to.

There are also a lot of people in this world who because of circumstances will never be able to experience their dreams unless we help them!

Most people who know me know that one of the most important things in my life is the 24 Hour Mega Swim.  An event I started 11 years ago at the Fitzroy Pool in Melbourne.  It was to raise money (just for that year) for the Go For Gold Scholarships, a program run by the MS Society of Victoria (as they were known then).  These scholarships go to people living with MS to follow a dream.

I am passionate about the scholarships because for someone with MS they can be life changing!  This 1 year of the 24 Hour Mega Swim has gone on to become 11 years and not just 1 swim now but about 38 swims around the country as well as $3.2 million raised, over $1.35 million in scholarships given out and the rest spent through a Financial Assistance program and programs for people with MS.

On August the 14^th this year I had the privilege of handing out $80,000 to people living with MS so that they can follow their dreams!  This was just the Victorian winners and this is what all the hard work during the year is about. 

There were so many different dreams; Prue who wants to start an online business and help employ others with MS, Clara an amazing cellist who because of her MS needs to modify how she plays, Paula, Kate and Catherine who want to create gardens at their homes to give them a special place to relax and unwind, Byron who wants to take his wife on the trip of a life time to thank her for all the caring she has done for him over the years, Ingrid who is a world class animator and wants the whole world to see her work, Anne who has just completed her first short film script and now wants to film it, Muna who wants to see her mother after 7 years because they were separated when fleeing from Zimbabwe, George who wants to create a studio where he can write, record and produce his own music and Bronwyn, now bed ridden who wants to see her only daughter get married.  These dreams are what make it all worthwhile!

So thank you to all the swimmers, volunteers and community groups who have helped make these dreams come true.  You have unequivocally “Paid it Forward”, your unselfishness in taking the time to swim, cook, volunteer and raise money has made this all happen.  You are all my very own heroes!!!

The only words to describe you all are in the words of Christopher Reeve “To the world you may be just one person, but to one person you may be the world.  Once you choose hope, anything’s possible”.

To the 23 Victorian winners anything is possible now!