The aim of World Swim for Malaria is to recruit 1 million people to take part in a sponsored swim on (more or less) the same day, 3rd December 2005. Such a global swim has never happened before. Nations from around the globe will unite in this cause, and people of all ages, abilities, origins, races and religions will come together to strike a blow in the fight against malaria. 100% of all funds raised will be spent on mosquito nets.
While malaria is both preventable and treatable, areas where resources are most needed remain unequipped to do this, mainly due to extreme poverty. As a result, millions of people die each year from the disease. Malaria is the number one cause of child deaths in the world, with the equivalent of 7 jumbo jets full of children dying from the disease each day. SPEEDO & FINA are proud to be supporting this initiative from the world of swimming to do something very simple, but very substantial, for a humanitarian cause which could save thousands of lives
SPEEDO has committed its support to the initiative, using the profile of athletes such as Grant Hackett (AUS), Markus Rogan (GER), Michael Klim (AUS), David Davies (GBR), Kirsty Coventry (ZIM), and Mike Brown (CAN) to capture the public's attention and support. Athens silver medallist and Speedo sponsored athlete Federica Pellegrini said: "I am very happy to be part of a team like that of Speedo, winning not only in swimming but also in charity actions. World Swim For Malaria is an initiative I have immediately liked. Thanks to swimming, my great passion, I can help lots of African children to escape from the monster of malaria."