Local swimmer Harry Cullity has received a scholarship from Variety to propel him further in the pool.
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Variety awarded Harry the scholarship for demonstrating success and commitment to swimming while dealing with mental health issues.
I don’t think that much at all. I just think about swimming. It’s pretty much the only time I’m able to do that.
- Harry Cullity
A spokeswoman from Variety specificially highlights Harry’s use of swimming to bring positivity and a brighter outlook into his life
But, for Harry, swimming is more than just a passion – it’s an escape from what his mother Tania calls his “quirky” mind.
“[Swimming] helps me focus,” Harry said.
“It’s a good sport and it’s something I’ve been good at since a young age.”
Harry said being underwater is the only time his mind is able to fully “switch off”.
“I don’t think that much at all,” he said.
“I just think about swimming.
“It’s pretty much the only time I’m able to do that.”
Harry trains up to six times a week and Mrs Callity said the sport has had nothing but a positive impact on his life.
“It is his happy place when he is swimming two to three kilometres each morning,” she said.
“Despite going through a rough patch the last few months due to a change of medication, Harry still has his eye firmly on the long black line of the swimming pool.”
Harry, currently in year seven at St Peter’s High School, said his hero and inspiration is Maitland Paralympic swimmer Maddi Elliot.
Last week Elliot was nominated for the Rio-bound Australian swimming squad and in 2015 was named Paralympic swimmer of the year.
Harry hopes to follow in her footsteps and compete at an interstate, even national or international level.
He is coached by Damon Rodd at Just Like Fish Rutherford.
Harry is one of 59 children and organisations in NSW to recieve a Variety 2016 Scholarship.
The charity delivers around $1 million every month in individual and organisational equipment grants across Australia.
It supports children with more than 133 different conditions.
The scholarships provide practical equipment, programs and experiences, to empower children to gain independence and self-esteem.
For more information on Variety scholarships visit variety.org.au.
