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SINGAPORE: Eleven swimmers braved the open waters between Batam and Singapore on Sunday to raise money for charity.
The Marathon Charity Swim 2007 started at 7am at the Nongsa Beach Resort at Batam.
The 18-km swim took the participants – among whom were investment bankers, a teacher and a lawyer – through the busy Straits of Singapore.
Support boats were on stand-by at the marathon swim.
Due to the currents, the swimmers veered off-course at one point and attracted the attention of the Navy.
The annual charity swim raised more than S$120,000 this year for the Student Advisory Centre which tackles at-risk youth behaviour.
The money will go towards three new programmes targeted at students with delinquency and academic problems, and who have difficulty with social interaction.
Inspired by the swimmers' efforts, the South West Community Development Council and the Northeast Community Development Council will jointly give S$80,000 towards student programmes run by the CDCs.
Former national swimmer Gerald Koh was among the first to finish the marathon after seven hours at sea.
- CNA/so
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