Cash splash to fight disease

DANDENONG’S Oasis swimming pool hosted the World Swim Against Malaria 2008 last weekend with the event raising $10,070 to fight the disease.
The official welcoming kicked off at 10.30am with Greater Dandenong mayor John Kelly, Rotary representatives and the manager of Oasis sports centre, Jucinda Hunt.
The fundraiser was one of several events which took place around the world to raise money to fight malaria.
Dandenong’s Tony Linossi, 79, and his son Alex, 50, were just two of the 10 members to take part in the Dandenong event.
They said they were very happy with the amount raised.
Mr Linossi said the event went very well.
“We swam for about half an hour in total. I swam one lap,” he said. “But we do it because we want to do it not because we have to do it.”
Cr Kelly said he found the event to be enlightening but was shocked at the staggering amount of deaths due to malaria.
“One child dies every 30 seconds,” he said.
“An event like this shows how the community is helping. They should be congratulated on their fantastic efforts.”