ALAN Meade has gone to great lengths to pursue his love of swimming, but now he's going even further to help make his passion available to all.

His goal is to swim 300 laps of the Warwick pool on March 2, as WIRAC holds its third annual Swim-a-thon to raise money for the aquatics disability program that helps people with disabilities take part in water sports and activities.

Age, illness and multiple operations haven't been able to keep 75-year-old Mr Meade out of the water, and he said he would hate to see anyone miss out on the sport that has defined many moments in his life.

"Every person should be able to swim and have the ability and availability to get in the water,” he said.

The 300-lap goal may seem ambitious to some, but it's not out of reach for Mr Meade, who has been swimming since he was five.

Last year, he swam a phenomenal 280 laps at the Swim-a-thon - a feat that took him three-and-a-half hours in total.

"Swimming has helped me and my health and I think it gives (people) a better way of life,” Mr Meade said.

At 5, Mr Meade taught himself to swim in the bath.

As a determined 18-year-old, he cut a deal with his father and built his own pool with nothing but a shovel and pick and a bucket - a job that took a year.

Warwick Police, Warwick Warriors Woodcutters and Southern Downs Regional Council will take part in the Swim-a-thon.

WIRAC centre manager David Jordan said the event, which raised $6000 last year, would coincide with an aquatics participation day for people with disabilities.

"For the people who come down and participate it is certainly one of the highlights of their month, if not their whole year,” Mr Jordan said.

"The WIRAC facility is extremely well utilised by people with special needs.”

In previous years, WIRAC used funds raised in the Swim-a-thon to buy a hoist to help with pool access.

Mr Jordan said the success of WIRAC's disability aquatics program came down to the experience and compassion of staff, such as special needs instructor Ellie Kelso.

Ms Kelso said swimming was empowering for some people who were restricted in other areas of their lives.

"One of my clients is absolutely immobile when she in a wheelchair but when she gets in the water she is free,” Ms Kelso said.

"It makes a huge difference physically and emotionally to her life.”

The free aquatic participation day will run from 10am to noon on March 2, and the Swim-a-thon will kick off at noon.

Participants are welcome to join and are asked to raise or donate $55 towards aquatic disabilities.

Mr Meade sets the benchmark, but not everyone is expected to do 300 laps.

Mr Jordan said anyone could participate and swim as far as they wanted.

The event will wrap up with a sausage sizzle and drinks at the pool.