Media Release

KAP Leader and Federal Member for Kennedy Bob Katter has put his muscle behind his Chief of Staff, Anne Pleash, who is competing in the 19.7km Rottnest Channel Swim aiming to raise $10,000 for charity Aussie Helpers to support drought affected farmers.

”I applaud Anne’s personal decision to use this swim to fundraise for such a great charity,” Mr Katter said.

“I’ve even been inspired to increase my training regime from three laps to six laps in the backyard family pool,” Mr Katter joked.

Mr Katter has donated $110 in support of the swim which has inspired some friendly family rivalry, saying, “I needed to beat my son Robbie’s donation!”.

Ms Pleash was born in the outback and has lived in the North West communities of Normanton and Hughenden.

“Working for Bob and travelling through the North-West region I speak to a lot of farmers who are struggling to survive, farmers who are on the verge of losing everything, farmers who must make choices and take actions, which for most of us are incomprehensible.

“I thought to myself, there must be something I, and every single one of us, can personally do to support these farmers,” said Ms Pleash.

Farmers in western Queensland are facing the perfect storm as a second year of drought sets in and compounds the issue of escalating rural debt.

“There are five to ten thousand head of cattle dying the most cruel death of starvation as we talk now. But the greatest tragedy in this story, is that we estimate that one farmer every four weeks is taking their life,” Mr Katter said.

Ms Pleash will compete in the 19.7km ocean swim from Cottesloe Beach to Rottnest Island in Western Australia on 22 February 2014.

Donations in support of the swim can be made at: https://give.everydayhero.com/au/anne-pleash 

PHOTO: Bob Katter gives $110 to Anne Pleash’s 20km Rottnest Channel Swim, pictured with Brian Rodriquez from the Mt Isa Aquatic Centre.