I'm swimming to save lives
- This is my first year diving
- in for youth mental health
Did you know suicide is the leading cause of death for young people in Australia?
That means that each year more young people die by suicide than in car accidents or from cancer.
This March, I'm swimming to make sure young people in Australia have the mental health support they urgently need.
By sponsoring my challenge, you’ll be helping to prevent youth suicide.
All funds raised will help young people feel better about today and the future, no matter what challenge they're facing.
Day 9
Totally impressed myself today completing 60 laps! 3kms! I think once you get to 30 laps it’s all a blur and you just keep going. Stoked to have raised over $1000 now also, and thinking about whether or how I could ramp up the fundraising techniques.Day 6 march 6th.
I’m really pretty stoked and heart warmed by so many friends and family donating! It is very cool!!!! Thank you everyone it means a lot! Gotta get back in the pool and get some more k’s under the belt! I thought I would take a moment to share with you why I am doing this Laps for Life. Mental health (and emotional health) in my view should be viewed and addressed in the same ways as how we treat physical health, within our families, communities, schools and workplaces but it has always been something a bit more hidden or has an element of stigma and there are real reasons in society why that has been the case. We have probably all come across adversity and stress in our lives and some have more support than others. As many of you know I’ve lived a pretty great life thus far and definitely the difficulties have become my strength but not without challenges as any young creative sensitive person does, and have experienced periods of depression, trauma and setbacks. It can take years to sift through all the information - is it hormonal, is it a trauma, is it just natural cycle, was that boyfriend really bad, is the workplace toxic, etc etc. my journey of health has come from recognising where my limits and boundaries are, and then making different decisions. A fluid journey! When I was young I didn’t know about organisations like ReachOut and they probably didn’t exist yet. I watched Ian Thorpe win Olympic golds in the pool when I was young, he was my hero, and had no idea of his mental health decline. He is the main man behind Laps for Life. I am swimming because I would like the next generation of young people like my nephews and nieces and all our extended families to have a better understanding and less stigma surrounding our experiences and what to do about them. I feel like if young people feel confident about knowing these services are there and it’s totally normal to use them, then we may see less problems down the river that our older generations know all about but maybe didn’t have the same culture or services. Things like addiction, lower employment rates, and who knows what kind of chronic illness that could manifest over time. And to strengthen young people with skills to deal and process these experiences. BTW everyone I’m doing really well atm, and I find it pretty funny really that I feel like when I stopped doing sports like swimming, rowing, surfing etc, to focus on the arts and live in the desert I can see how it has effected low mood. Swimming is good for everyone of all ages all abilities and it’s changing my life once more! go water! This challenge has been a gift for me to reengage with an old love of mine which is anything in water! I am feeling amazing and enjoying the laps. Thank you for donating and if there is one wish from me, it is to educate yourself and families about ReachOut and other services and never feel weird about seeking help. It makes things better for yourself and your support network and also helps carve a pathway for others to find light when they are feeling lost. We are all human and the world is a complex place to navigate for everyone. I hope the next generation will recognise if they aren’t doing the best and know there are total supports out there. I’m swimming to give back to the next gen that are our future, and also for the older generations it’s never too late to find new ways to love yourself and take care of yourself and you will find a lot of kind amazing humans within those services! yewww! Water loves life! stay hydrated and get a water filter for your drinking water! say hi to the ocean for me all you mob on the coast! Thank you everyone we have already met the fundraising goal…. I’ll take it easy but maybe I’ll increase the limits as my fitness improves! Thank you! You people are great!Day 3
Day 2
Was tired from a 44 degree day yesterday and too much white wine and late night but still got in the pool and again, surprised myself by reaching 40 laps!!!! 2kms!!! I only really aim for 10-15 and then just get on a roll, there’s no pressure I just kinda like cruising on, being in the pool is nicer than desert dust, and yeh good rhythmic breathing oxygenates my blood so I feel real good after. I may need to start taking hydralytes or magnesium cos I started cramping up in my calf at the end today. Going to be another 43 degree day, I might even come back this arvo and do a few more! Last night I met my fundraising target of $500 on the first day so I’ve raised the target to $1000. It’s been really nice to get support and donations, I haven’t really done this kind of fundraising before and it’s a very cool experience!!! thanks everyone. and thanks to my rad body for doing this!Day 1
Alice Springs public 50m pool. The was aiming for at least 15 laps and ended up smashing 30!!!!! I think this is gonna be fine!!! feels good to get into a zone.My Swim Progress
I've swum
22.70km (454 laps)
My Goal
20km
How do you compare to other participants?
Average Distance Swum: 9m
Average Distance Goal: 16KM
My Impact
So far this year I helped provide...
467
Young people with vital mental health support.
Fundraising Progress
Raised
$1866
My Goal
$1,500
So far, you’ve raised 124% of your fundraising goal!
Raised
$0
My Team Goal
$0
So far, you’ve raised nan% of your fundraising goal!
Raised
$3,658,179
All Goal
$3,600,000
So far, you’ve raised 102% of your fundraising goal!
Thank you to my Sponsors
$135.04
Richard Ford
$135.04
Josie and Jeff Matteson
Fantastic efforts Jess. Very proud of you.
$135.04
Suzanne and Robert Logan
A wonderful effort for an urgent cause.. well done Jessica
$106.12
Peter, Kerrin, Sarah, Chris, and Stephanie Earls
You go girl, that’s who you are
$106.12
Richard Mitchell
Well done with this Jess. Richard
$100
Anonymous
$94.86
Petal Van der Pasch
Fuck yeah Sik one
$80.25
Matthew Mournehis
$75.86
J9 Stanton
Hope this gets you to your goal. Good on you Jess
$64.67
Daniel Emry
🩷
$56.24
Grace Sullivan
$56.24
Carly Kennedy
Well done Jess, good on you giving back for young people 💗
$56.24
Jimmy Cocking
Go Jesska!
$54.99
Chelsea Coles
Go Jess, you are so brave...! Good on you :) Proud of you buddy. Here is some money to support your cause... I kind want to do it but I am not ready. Thanks for being you.
$54.12
Ben Forte
Love ya work, you’ll smash this
$52.92
Jackie & Lachy
Inspiring! Go Jess!
$52
Tanya Hall
Thanks for doing this!
$50
James Russell Services
$50
Avis & John Ridgway
wow Jess, great to have a challenge', Love and Luck Avis and John xxxx
$43.60
Cara Munn
Yess Jes Sooooo good for doing this
$43.60
Sean Wyers
Go Jess go you absolute champion 🏆
$27.81
Natalie Mccarthy
Great work Jess!
$27.81
CAITLIN HIGGINS
Good one Jess! 💪
$27.81
Matched by Gonski Foundation & The GPT Group
$27.81
Anonymous
$22.58
Sarah Aslin
Good on ya Jess!!
$22.58
Matched by Gonski Foundation & The GPT Group
$22.58
Madeline Hudson
Hey sister! Sending love yr way...This is pretty late in the game and a small contribution but I wanted to lend some love and support also ....
$22.58
Pollyanna Brandso
Well done honey - have loved seeing your posts
$17.16
Malcolm McDonald
$11.65
Wolf Arrow Rain
Love your work
$11
Mallia Beee
Love ya jeska I've started swimming this summer so I know what ur up for so proud and impressed you are amazing
$11
Matched by Gonski Foundation & The GPT Group
$6.13
Anita Tromp
Awesome, Jess!
$5
It's brilliant what you're doing Jess. More power to ya!