63-year-old farmer launches 1,650-km swim of Darling River to fund neuro-disease charities
Victorian grain farmer Scott Gladman has begun a 1,650-kilometre swim down the Darling River, aiming to finish at the Murray River by year-end while raising money for Parkinson’s and MND causes.
Scott Gladman, a grain farm manager from Victoria, embarked on a marathon swim of the Darling River on Tuesday, beginning near Brewarrina and planning to reach the Murray River at Wentworth by the end of the year. The 1,650-kilometre “Fight the Current” challenge, expected to take roughly 103 days, is intended to raise funds for Fight Parkinson’s and MND Victoria after friends were diagnosed with PSP and MND. Gladman, who began intensive daily training after a heart scare at 54, works with Hall of Fame swimmer Mike Gregory and swims four to five kilometres each weekday, with longer sessions on Sundays.
Pat Russell will pilot a support boat ahead of him, and canoeist Mike Bremer will accompany the trek, handling navigation and occasional paddling. The swimmer acknowledges he may have to walk around shallow sections and haul equipment over weirs. Sponsorships have supplied an ATV and a boat, both of which will be raffled or sold after the swim, with proceeds split evenly between the two charities.
Why it matters
The swim combines a rare endurance feat with fundraising for Parkinson’s and motor neurone disease charities.
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