A Woodend charity has raised nearly $40,000 by challenging people to swim laps for youth mental health awareness and suicide prevention in regional and rural communities.
Running from November 10 to 20, and the organisation said it was “blown out of the water” by how much was raised, and thanked participants for being involved.
The challenge culminated in an event finale, at both the Kyneton Toyota Sports and Aquatic Centre and the Gisborne Aquatic Centre on November 20 – everybody swam their hearts out.
The Youth Live4Life’s initiative was inspired by father-daughter swimming duo Sean and Kirsten McKinney. A few years ago, they hosted an event at Gisborne pool with aim to swim 2866 in a relay, 2688 being the number of Australians who had died by suicide.
“Funds raised help us reach, support and improve the mental health and wellbeing of young people living in rural and regional communities through our award-winning Live4Life initiative,” Youth Live4Life said.
If you, or anyone you know needs mental health support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
