TOMORROW the community of tiny outback town Hawker will get behind one of its own and a worthy cause as locals hit the pool to raise funds for the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society of South Australia and the Northern Territory.
Last year 23 year old Stefanie Edson was diagnosed with MS shortly after moving from Henley Beach to sheep and cattle station Yednalue, Cradock, with fiancé Reuben Solly.
Being a "city girl" and new to the area, Ms Edson was "overwhelmed" by the support she was given when she became really ill eventually diagnosed with the disease.
"It has been a very difficult time for us and the support from the local community has just been extraordinary," she said.
"I was not only made welcome to community but was greeted with the support and passion of an army when I became ill."
She counts herself lucky she has ended up somewhere like the Hawker district with the immense support she has received from locals and pastoral families.
"The MS society has more support networks in Adelaide that we do not have in the country, but out here we have the community," she said.
She said the biggest impacts from MS have been the loss of mobility, losing concentration and fatigue, which affects her work and studies.
"It is something I have to live with," she said. "It is lucky I am young and it was diagnosed early so I have the medication."
A couple of weeks ago, Ms Edson was surprised by a group of local women that told her they were bringing the Mighty MS Swim to Hawker.
It is the first time the Australia-wide event will be held outside a major metropolitan area.
The event aims to raise much-needed funds for the non-profit organisation to help with research and services.
Teams of 20 are sponsored to swim in relay for 24 hours and on Friday, the event will kick off at 10am at the both the Unley pool in Adelaide, and the Hawker pool.
As most of the local swimmers are "not trained athletes" the main effort is to "keep going as long as they can".
Participants also have to swim a "recognised" stroke, and unfortunately for many - "doggy paddle" does not count.
"This event is going to be a big team effort," she said. "After hurdles with paperwork, the girls got the green light from the council, which has only left one week to raise funds."
She said the support of local businesses has been overwhelming, as has national transport company AirRoad - who have pledged to match all donations made through their AirRoad foundation.
Ms Edson said it is hard to describe how living in a rural community has helped her through the difficult time of her illness.
"In a short space of time I have joined a new family, moved to a new place and new community and had this new impact in my life," she said.
"I am a city girl by heart and new to the area then all of a sudden I have this massive support network behind me - despite people not knowing me for very long.
"It is like the whole town works as a team. It is amazing how many people have got on board to help with this event already.
"I am delighted so many local people have shown a genuine interest in the MS society and this event and that people I barely know are putting so much effort into supporting me and supporting the cause.
"The passion these people have is extraordinary. Passion not just only for a newcomer like me, but for the cause.
"I have been brought to tears so many times in the past few weeks."
To donate go to http://fundraising .ms.asn.au/stefanie_jane_edson 
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