This trip has previously been impossible for Iain and his family. In 2015, Iain was diagnosed with Relapsing-Remitting MS (RRMS). His symptoms of chronic fatigue, balance issues, and nerve/muscle pain has greatly affected his daily life. He also faces the burden of ongoing medical costs, which have placed a strain on the small family’s finances.

But Iain is not the only person in his family living with MS. His older sister Isabel was diagnosed with Primary Progressive MS (PPMS) over 20 years ago. Isabel’s mobility has become severely compromised, requiring full-time care.

Iain and Isabel live in different states, and since having two daughters, Iain has begun to feel the distance not only physically, but emotionally as well. Only his eldest has met their Aunty Isabel when she was 11 months old, not old enough to have any lasting memories. His youngest daughter has never met the sister he loves so dearly.

I miss my sister so much. I know she wants nothing more than to spend time with my girls. The Go for Gold Scholarship not only gives us the chance to make memories in the sunshine, but more importantly, it reunites us as a family. Social media is no substitute for being in the same place with the people we love. This trip will allow us to create something far more valuable—core memories that my daughters will carry with them forever..

Despite being able to connect through social media, Iain knows that these digital interactions are no substitute for the warmth of a hug or the chance to create lasting memories in person. He dreamed of taking his girls to visit their aunt, and for them to experience the deep bond he shares with Isabel.

For Iain, this opportunity is about more than just a family holiday—it’s about building memories with his daughters and allowing them to meet their aunt in person for the first time. For Isabel, the chance to hold her nieces in her arms, to hear their laughter, and to share stories with them would be a dream come true.

About the MS Go for Gold Scholarships that the amazing MS Mega Challenge fundraisers make possible, Iain says this:

Thank you… From the bottom of my heart… Thank you…

Without the time and the effort each of you put into the MS Mega Swim Challenge each year, these Scholarships just wouldn’t be possible. My Scholarship is going to do wonders for both my, and my sister’s mental health, and it is going to help us create core memories for all of us, my daughters especially, as they get to know their amazing Aunty in-person.

Swimmers… From me, and from my family… Thanks so, so much to each and every one of you… You all ROCK!.

Whether it's being able to attend an exercise program, purchase equipment, undertake a course or travel, the Go for Gold Scholarships are awarded to people with multiple sclerosis with a wide range of goals and dreams.

Fundraising from the MS Mega Challenges has changed the lives of many people living with multiple sclerosis, people like Iain and Isabel. Thank you to everyone who is joining us in 2025!