Updated Tuesday 27 June 2006

American marathon swimmer Monte Monfore has set a new world record off the coast of Central Java to highlight WFP’s efforts to help last month’s earthquake survivors.

DARKNESS TO LIGHT

Dodging stinging jellyfish and tackling choppy seas, marathon swimmer Monte Monfore has set a new world record off the coast of Central Java to highlight WFP’s efforts to help last month’s earthquake survivors.

US-born Monte, 45, dived into the gloomy waters off Menyawakan Island in the South China Sea at 4.43am on 9 June, beginning the swim in darkness to represent the devastation inflicted by the Indonesia earthquake.

He finished four hours and four minutes later on the uninhabited Kumbung Island, emerging in the morning sun – a symbol of hope for those affected by the disaster.