TOWER OF STRENGTH: Orange woman Jenny Griffiths, right, and her twin sister Debra Beuzeville, will compete in the 2013 Cole Classic swim at Manly thanks to inspirational young Adam Beuzeville, who suffers from muscular dystrophy.
ORANGE resident Jenny Griffiths has gained inspiration from her sick young nephew Adam as she prepares to tackle the gruelling Cole Classic swim in Manly on February 3.
Jenny will swim two kilometres alongside her three sisters as they attempt to raise more than $10,000 for the Duchenne Foundation, a charity that works to improve the lives of Australians affected by Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy.
The cause is especially close to Jenny’s heart, as her twin sister Debra’s son Adam, 4, was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy at nine months of age.
“He’s a gorgeous, happy little boy and he really is a motivation for us,” she said.
“Children who suffer from the disease have a life expectancy into their early 20s, so if we can help raise funds to find a cure that will help Adam that would be great.”
Jenny, along with Debra and sisters Lisa and Catherine, have joined forces to participate in the swim.
It will be the fourth time the keen Orange swimmer has completed the classic, but the first time all four sisters have competed.
“We’ve always been swimmers, but this will be the first time we’ve swum together since school,” she said.
“It will be a lot of fun to swim together, but most importantly it’s for a great cause.”
The girls have set a fundraising target of $10,000. They’re well on the way, having already accumulated more than $5000.
Jenny has also set a goal to beat her personal best time.
“I’ve been doing a lot of laps at the pool and I plan on a swim at Lake Canobolas to get ready for it,” she said.
“I’m looking forward to the challenge. Last year I finished the two kilometres in 45 minutes. I’m out to beat that, and of course beat my sisters,”
This year will be the 30th running of the Cole Classic and thousands of people will swim one, two or nine kilometres to raise funds for their selected charities.
For information, or to make a donation to Jenny and the team Adam’s Angels, visit http://www.everydayhero.com.au/debra_beuzeville_27.