Clinton Stanley, affectionately know as Cooroy’s Super Fish, is on a mission this February to swim 60km and raise as much money as he can for The Starlight Foundation to bring joy to sick kids and improve their health.
This is the second year Clinton has participated in the Starlight Super Swim Challenge.
Last year he swam 57.1km and raised $5465.
Clinton, 45, has always loved swimming.
At 17 years of age he began competitive swimming and since then has represented Australia seven times and holds 79 Down syndrome world records.
He has been a member of Noosa Masters swim club since 2003 and since 2006 has volunteered with the Sunshine Beach Surf Lifesavers.
Clinton just loves to help people.
“I am the lucky one, even though I have an intellectual disability I am fit and healthy and live my dream, while every day a sick child is admitted to hospital in Australia,“ Clinton said.
“My challenge is to swim as far as I can over the 28 days in February and raise lots of money for as many sick kids as I can.
Last year Clinton was invited to swim and raise money for the Starlight Children’s Foundation as a member of the Noosa Masters Team.
His incredible effort was a terrific help towards the team contribution.
This year he wants to raise more money and swim more kilometres.
Clinton will be completing his swims at the Noosa Aquatics Centre with his laps counted by his coach Jan Croft. When he isn’t working and has time, he will be swimming distances either in the pool or the ocean that will be recorded by his support worker.
Swimming is what Clinton is good at and he has used his skill on several occasions to fundraise for other charities.
He has a long list of achievements to his name.
Before becoming a voluntary lifesaver Clinton was a founding member for Scouts at the Nambour Special School. He was a scout leader who helped the young Cubs for many years and is also a recipient of the Baden Powel Award, the highest award for scouting.
Clinton has been inducted into Sunshine Coast Sports Hall of Fame.
In 2013 he was an Australian of the Year Local Hero Queensland finalist and was a proud Australian Ambassador in 2015 and 2016.
The Starlight Foundation knows that happiness matters to sick kids facing the pain, fear and stress of serious illness. The organisation works in partnership with health professionals to bring the fun, joy and laughter that is essential to sick kids’ health and wellbeing.
“It would mean so much to me and The Starlight Foundation if you’d support me in this challenge,“ Clinton said.
Clinton has already raised more than $1000 for the challenge.
If you wish to support Clinton, visit superswim.org.au/clinton-stanley
All donations over $2 are tax deductible.
