No party for this 80th birthday

Louisa Rust

Most people would celebrate their 80th birthday with a dinner party or a holiday, but Mt Warrigal resident Joan Lecki will be marking the occasion with a swim-a-thon for charity.

Ms Lecki will be donating the proceeds of the fundraiser to the Cancer Council, and has already raised over $900 for the cause thanks to the generosity of local residents and businesses.

Ms Lecki said she had been swimming for around 50 years, and hoped to swim at least twenty laps as part of the swim-a-thon.

She will have her own lane at Oak Flats Swimming Pool for the event, to be held on Monday, May 19.

“For my birthday, I decided that instead of getting a present I would give one,” she said.

“I’m aiming to raise to $1000, so if I don’t by the day I’ll put it in myself.”

Ms Lecki said she chose to raise money for the Cancer Council because “three men very near and dear” to her had been or were currently affected by the disease.

She said several of her family and friends were going to come and support her on the day and said her children had sponsored her to swim a total of 20 laps.

“That’s what they stipulated in their sponsorship form, but I’m aiming for more than that,” Ms Lecki said.

The swim will also be attended by a representative of the Cancer Council.

Those wishing to sponsor Ms Lecki’s swim-a-thon are invited to call 4296 6190.