The Balmoral Swim is now in its 29th year and proudly organised by dedicated volunteers, most of whom are members of the Balmoral Beach Club in Mosman, Sydney. But this is an event which is open to everyone and the entire local community get behind it. From Mosman Council, to HMAS Penguin, to the Balmoral Sea scouts, it is widely supported swim which together with its sponsors has raised more than $1 million since 1990 and plans to raise $250,000 this year alone.

Over 1000 swimmers compete in the five kilometre swim in the pristine waters of Sydney Harbour for the Balmoral swim each taking part in a five km swim around the bay (limited to 360 swimmers) or a one km swim around the island (​Anita Comelli Trophy) and there is a School’s Team Challenge Relay (4 x 250m) and Corporate Team Challenge, too.

All the funds go to the Children’s Cancer Institute which is the only independent medical research institute in Australia wholly dedicated to childhood cancer and every dollar received from the government and granting bodies to support direct research costs must be matched with a dollar raised by the community.

“By holding this event the Balmoral Swim is helping ​us​ undertake the medical research we know will uncover a cure for childhood cancer,” says Children’s Cancer Institute’s Executive Director, Prof Michelle Haber.

“Fundraising events like the Balmoral Swim enable us to continue this critical research – and demonstrate what can be achieved when communities unite for a common cause.”