Sport
12 August, 2021
Marathon swim to assist in closing the gap
TWO Cairns locals are about to undertake a marathon effort, all in the name of a good cause.
Jesse O’Hara and Joel Little have made an extraordinary commitment to swim more than 27 kilometres from Green Island to Cairns unassisted in a mammoth effort to raise funds and awareness for local organisation AFL Cape York House Foundation.
The pair will complete the swim under marathon conditions, where feeders can toss them food and drinks every half hour, but Joel and Jesse will be unable to touch the boat for the full course of the 10 or more hours it takes them to complete the course.
Jesse O’Hara believes strongly in highlighting the importance of education within the Indigenous communities.
“In more recent years working for TAFE Queensland, I’ve been involved in some education projects in the Cape and in the Gulf region, and I’ve seen firsthand how difficult it is for these communities and the limited opportunities these kids have. Also, this year I have welcomed two AFL Cape York House students into the Cairns Academy of Sport program.
“Symbolically, the swim represents the gap in Indigenous education outcomes and supporting organisations like AFL Cape York who endeavour to close that gap.”
They will be just the fourth and fifth people to attempt the swim, which at full length is a similar distance to the famous English Channel crossing.
The pair are preparing to complete the swim during a fine weather period in September.
To support Jesse and Joel can go to www.gofundme.com/f/green-island-to-cairns-swim-for-charity to donate.
