Swim hopes to change tide of disease

For someone so young, five-year-old Bunbury boy Connor Barrett has an incredible ability to inspire. This time it was his father Adrian and Bunbury swimmer Allan Taylor who felt compelled to hit the water and take part in the 1km Dare to Care swim for cystic fibrosis, a disease Connor lives with. The two men took to Matilda Bay for the open water swim on Saturday to raise money for the Conquer Cystic Fibrosis charity, with the event raising more than $30,000. Event organiser Caroline Claydon said the swim being held in the chilly winter months took on extra meaning. “When the swimmers get in they find it hard to catch their breath and for a short time they experience a fraction of what those with cystic fibrosis do,” she said. “Sadly, the 3400 Australians with cystic fibrosis don’t get a break, they lose the ability to take a deep breath and currently only half will survive to their 30th birthday.” Mr Barrett said charities like Conquer Cystic Fibrosis, which is volunteer-run and focuses on research in the field, were vitally important. “Every single day this disease causes damage and we need to keep supporting the researchers who are working so hard to extend lives,” he said. “We are so grateful for the advances and new medicines that are slowing down the disease, but time is not on our side. “We all know how quickly our kids grow up so we just have to hope the advances come quicker than the deterioration.” Mr Taylor, from the Bunbury Masters Swimming Club, was acknowledged at the event for participating for three consecutive years.