Get in the pool this March and swim laps to save lives
Australian swimming legend Ian Thorpe is getting behind the initiative to get people swimming in March, in an effort to help young people with mental health issues.
Thorpe is the patron of Australia’s most accessed online mental health service for young people, ReachOut, and is calling on people across Australia to jump in the water in March for Laps for Life – a month-long swimming challenge.
Laps for Life raises funds and awareness for young people in Australia living with mental health difficulties and to help prevent youth suicide.
“The mental health of young people across Australia has been profoundly impacted by issues such as covid-19 lockdowns, high unemployment levels, financial stress and uncertainty about the future,” he says.
ReachOut research shows one in four people in Australia aged 14–25 live with a mental health difficulty.
“Despite the countrywide lockdowns, the Laps for Life community swam more than 35,000 kilometres in 2020. An incredible achievement.
“This year, I’m challenging everyone to help us smash that record by jumping in the pool or the ocean and get swimming to raise funds to support our young people. By joining Laps for Life youreally are swimming to save lives by helping to improve youth mental health and reduce suicide,” he says.
Laps for Life is open to everyone across Australia and is simple to take part in. Participants set their own lap or distance goal and then dive on in and log the laps to record their progress.
To register to take part in Laps for Life, visit: lapsforlife.com.au.
Fluidra forms a team
Nineteen staff members from Fluidra Australia have formed a team and will be swimming at part of Laps for Life
“The Fluidra Swimmers are very keen to participate in this worthy initiative to raise money for youth mental health as it also ties into our belief that swimming is a great way to combat health issues” says Jonas Ryberg, Marketing Director, Fluidra Australia
“Many of our customers have already supported the cause by sponsoring the Fluidra Swimmers team. Youth mental health is a universal issue that affects many families, particularly during the current pandemic.”
The Fluidra Swimmers have already raised over $5000 blitzing their original fundraising target of $2000 before they even start their swim in March.
If you would like to support the Fluidra Swimmers in the Laps for Life challenge, please donate via the Fluidra Swimmers page on the Laps for Life website:
