Swimming 60 kilometres along the east coast of Australia sounds like a hard slog, but give it three months, 60 pools and winding coastal roads and you have yourself a road trip.
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Marie and Phil Hewitt are tackling the coastline, swimming one kilometre in each of 60 ocean pools, in an attempt to raise $60,000 for research into the prevention of type 1 diabetes.
With a family history of type 1 diabetes, Marie and her husband, both keen swimmers from Newcastle, wanted to do more, and so began Pools for Prevention.
"We wanted to do something like this when we both turned 60 and thought it would be great to make it a fundraiser," Mrs Hewitt said.
"My daughter has type 1 diabetes and our three grandchildren have been involved in cord studies for the last 10 years, which is a prevention technique for children on the path to type 1."
After swimming at Wombarra and Coalcliff pools on Friday, the Hewitts have completed the Illawarra leg and are halfway through their challenge.
Planning to complete the last 30 swims at weekends once they both return to work next week, Mrs Hewitt said she had enjoyed the 20 kilometres swum along the Illawarra coast.
"All the pools have been clean and beautiful, it has only been the large swell that we have had to deal with," she said.
So far, the couple has raised more than $3500, with more donations pledged with set challenges, including a length of Newcastle pool in a Borat swimsuit.
A coffee table book is planned with photographs taken at various swims to be included.
"We thought the images would make a beautiful book and if people are happy to donate photos we would love to put them together and raise even more money."
To contribute photographs, contact the Hewitts on poolsforprevention@hotmail.com.