World Swim Against Malaria is goodwill partner to the 9th FINA World Swimming Championships 2008 which will be held in Manchester from 9 – 13 April this year.
Speedo is global partner to the World Swimming Championships and they are supporting this cause by organising events around the World which will culminate in a mass swim event for the charity on 5th April. In the World Championship pool at the MEN Arena a soap star relay race is planned to take place with teams already confirmed from Coronation Street, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks!
On 5th March 2008: Speedo International and Supermodel, Alek Wek, joined forces to promote World Swim against Malaria, a global fundraising initiative with the aim to get one million people, around the world, swimming on the 5 April 2008.
Globally, at least 1.5 million people die from malaria each year, some put the estimates as high as 2.7 million. 90% of the deaths are in sub-Saharan Africa and 70% of the deaths are of children under 5. That's equivalent to one child dying of malaria in Africa every 30 seconds. Put another way, 7 jumbo jets full of children disappear because of malaria every day.
Renowned photographer, Daniela Federici, has produced a powerful image of Sudanese-born Alek wearing Speedo’s bold World Swim against Malaria swimsuit to encourage people to come together and swim, any distance, on the 5 April 2008.
In order to take part, all you have to do is register online at www.worldswimagainstmalaria.com/speedo and pay a one-off registration fee of $5 (£2.62). Each donation will buy a much needed bednet (mosquito net) impregnated with insecticide; the protection these bednets offer is the most effective way of stopping people contracting malaria. Once you have registered, you can also set up sponsorship to raise more money and buy more bednets!
Growing up in Sudan, Supermodel Alek Wek has witnessed the impact of malaria first hand “Growing up in Sudan, I like so many others, contracted Malaria as a child. Having seen and experienced the devastating effects of this disease I was passionate to get behind Speedo World Swim against Malaria. We want to get 1 million people swimming worldwide by April 5th and I urge people to take part as this is such a simple, healthy way to save lives.”
David Robinson, co-President at Speedo comments “Speedo supports the World Swim against Malaria initiative because 100% of all money raised goes to saving lives. Swimming is an accessible and fun way to raise money to help fight Malaria and we’re delighted that Alek is working with us to promote this campaign. Speedo employees worldwide will be getting in the pool to raise as much money as possible and we hope through everyone’s efforts we will highlight this very important cause.”
James Hickman Head of PR for the event, five times world swimming champion, Mancunian and spokesperson for Speedo enthused “We believe everyone should be able to enjoy water, for safety, health and fun. Swimming can provide an accessible and fun way to raise money to help fight Malaria. Speedo supports WSAM because 100% of all money raised goes straight towards saving lives. For more information on the charity visit www.worldswimagainstmalaria.com”
“You can join Speedo in their Swim Around the World Challenge, by logging online at www.worldswimagainstmalaria.com/speedo buy a bed net to register and start swimming!”
For more information on this visit www.worldswimagainstmalaria.com/speedo
