Will Brunsdon and Greg Blanch will take their place in the Australian team at the championships alongside 17 other swimmers that make up the contingent.

Brunsdon, after two previous competitions, is a veteran of the international scene, while Blanch will be competing for the first time in the World Down Syndrome competition, after competing in the Special Olympics in Singapore.

Brunsdon and Blanch headed off to Noosa at the end of last month to meet the new members of the Australian team.

They also had the opportunity to chat with Australian swimming sensation Jessica Schipper, the Down Syndrome Australia ambassador.

The last few months have been busy for the swimmers, with a number of fundraising activities taking place.

Alligators Swimming Club’s fundraiser took the form of a ‘swim-a-thon’ to raise money for both the club and Brunsdon’s trip.

Seventeen of Alligators’ finest took part in the event, which was held over four hours.

Some amazing achievements were recorded at the event.

Eleven-year-old John Dennis swam 160 laps of the 25m pool at TAS, which equates to four kilometres. Six-year-old Jackson Gwynne swam 50 laps while the Rowbottom team of Danny, Reece and Morgan swam a combined total of 222 laps.

A fundraiser was also held at the Belgrave Cinema at the premiere of the latest Indiana Jones flick The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

The two swimmers have also been assisted by the Armidale Sports Council, Armidale Lions Club, Forsyth’s Financial Services, Armidale North Rotary Club, National Business Bank, and the Alligators and Penguins swimming clubs.