Wanaka community gets behind local Para-Swimmer

Para-Swimmer Hamish McLean is heading to the IPC Swimming World Championships in July this year with a bit of help from his local community.

Hamish, 15, qualified for the IPC Swimming World Championships in Glasgow at the 2015 New Zealand Open Championships in April.

After getting word of the young Wanaka swimmers achievement Wanaka Districts Club put together a fundraising event to help support his trip.

The event was held on Sunday 24 May with around 30 prizes gifted for an auction and raffle with the Club also hosting a BBQ.

Following the auction a band from Hamish’s school, Mount Aspiring College, also performed.

In total $5,500 was raised by the community to help Hamish get to Glasgow.

Ian McGregor from the Wanaka Districts Club said “there was very good support from the local swimming club, plus also fellow students of Hamish and our own Club members.

“I was speaking with his mother later in the evening and they were thrilled with the result – as were we as a Club to be involved in such a special local community event."

The IPC Swimming World Championships will be Hamish’s first world championships where he is looking to gain invaluable experience on the international stage.

For more information on Para-Swimming please go to www.paralympics.org.nz.