Sunshine Coast women swim to support disability charity

Lake Argyle Swim Quad team; Angelika Hannon, Stacey Bitz, Raechelle Finch and Gail Murphy.

Four women on the Sunshine Coast have raised more than $10,000 dollars for Noosa disability support service and charity, Sunshine Butterflies.

Angelika Hannon, Stacey Bitz, Raechelle Finch and Gail Murphy competed in the Lake Argyle 20km team event to support Sunshine Butterflies charity on Saturday 4 May.

Sunshine Butterflies chief executive officer and founder Leanne Walsh said, “We are absolutely thrilled and grateful for the incredible support from the Lake Argyle Swim Quad team.”

These four competitors have a remarkable history of endurance events and fundraising, coming from diverse professional backgrounds.

Stacey Bitz, a local nurse from Katherine NT, has taken on many long-distance swims while raising her four children.

Raechelle Finch, a PE teacher and mother of three, has a background in triathlon and endurance trail running.

Gail Murphy, also a teacher specialising in inclusive education at QUT, competes in triathlons.

Angelika Hannon, residing in Noosa QLD, brought a PR background and Ironman experience to the team and is a parent of one of Sunshine Butterflies members.

This group of four finished third in the all-girls quad team, completing the challenging swim in five hours and 51 minutes on a beautiful day out on the water.

Sunshine Butterflies praised the team and thanked them for their donation on their social media pages.

Leanne said, “The funds raised will go towards supporting the extension of our onsite Supported Independent Living (SIL) property, The Lake House.”

“This expansion will provide additional accommodation and living options for our members with disability, allowing us to continue.”