Published 12:00a.m. 2nd September 2007

| By Peter Gardiner

Updated 12:00a.m. 2nd September 2007

Photo Gallery: Island Charity Swim

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It was not enough for generous-hearted Matthew Blackwell to give his all by splashing his way through 11km in the annual Mudjimba Island to Mooloolaba Charity Swim – he had to give blood as well.

Matt swears the clip on the ear from his minder’s ski paddle, which left a nice little blood trail in his wake, was all his fault.

“I must have been swimming too slow and he decided to give me a hurry up,” he said after coming through his first full tilt at the distance in one piece.

The only marine life that menaced him was a strange fish off the island that insisted on nibbling at his toes.

This year the 35-year-old mining company executive flew in from Perth to once again line up with his dad Barrie in the fundraiser from Mudjimba to Mooloolaba via Old Woman Island.

Last year Matt commuted from America to partner Barrie as they joined the aquatic epic which, in its short history, has raised many thousands of dollars for the Currimundi and Nambour Special Schools.

Barrie is a retired teacher from the Currimundi centre and this year he teamed up with son Jeremy in the team event.

Matt said after last year’s effort with dad, he decided he could go the distance alone.

“This year I reached the spot where I had handed over to dad and I wondered if it had been such a good idea, but then I thought I’d better push on.

“I’ll be back for sure for next year because it’s for such a good cause – these (special needs) kids do it a lot longer than the three hours we spend in the water one day of the year.”

And it is amazing how much good a split ear or, in the case of Australian swimmer Sarah Windsor, a bout of sea sickness can do.

Sarah swam with members of her Mudjimba SLSC patrol team.

“I was fine when I was in the water but when I got into the boat my stomach started (heaving),” she said.

Mary Taylor, the mum of 11-year-old Nambour student Kenny, said the inspirational efforts of the swimmers over the years had, apart from other improvements, air-conditioned the school.

According to Currimundi principal Alywn Green, last year’s swim raised $80,000 which had been split evenly between the two schools.

The swim was originally undertaken by local hotel and rugby league identity Ashley Robinson and Sunshine Coast Daily assistant editor Bill Hoffman, who these days are content to take part in the teams section.

While no one officially races this event, first out of the water yesterday was Jack Carmine – a man in a hurry because he was due at his training mate Hayden Smith’s wedding in 35 minutes.

His power surge on to the Mooloolaba Beach shortly before 9.25am was impressive considering he was battling ’flu as well as the clock.

Another worthy team effort was the Chardan Development Group led by its general manager Evan Dickson.