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Kerry Dawborn

I'm swimming for my nephew Jack, for my family and for so many others out there who are struggling.

  • This is my first year diving

  • in for youth mental health

In March last year my nephew Jack died by suicide. My family has lived a devastation that is far too common. I’m doing this for my family, and for Jack. 

Last day - had company!

Gentle day today, nothing to be joined by my brother Michael. 

Today i felt you close

I was walking in the forest today Jack, and I had the strangest feeling of you walking beside me. It felt like my arm was in yours, and that was nice. We were talking and laughing, just like I always looked forward to some day when the time was right.  
It breaks my heart that that day can now only be in my mind and heart. It breaks my heart that we never went for that picnic. 
I am hearing your voice a lot at the moment. Remembering. 
I remember that you were looking forward to the outing and planning what you’d prepare for us to eat. I remember how Izzy dog warmed to you. She would have loved that picnic too. 
I’m heart broken that I failed you - that I postponed it, thinking that a better time for it would come.
When I’m at the pool, sometimes there are young men there, teaching little kids to swim. I think you did that, didn’t you? I seem to remember you were a strong swimmer, and that you coached kids in sport? It’s been a while though I think…
I think of you as I swim. I’m swimming for you, and because of you. Maybe in a way, you are coaching me too. I’ve never been a strong swimmer, but with you, and for you, I’m getting stronger. 
Thank you for that. I wish you were here and we could have a good chat. 
I’d like to have known who you would have been if you had got through. I would like to have shared with you the ways I thought I wouldn’t get through at times, but I did. And I’m glad I did. Better times can come. 
I wish you were here, and I could tell you about my swimming, and compare notes and learn from you as I am from other people at the pool. 
I wish you hadn’t left Jack… 

Sad today but feeling better

20 laps, just getting From one end of the pool to the other in anyway that feels right as I think about Jack. Peaceful, slow.

Please Help Me
Reach My Goal

Raised

$2,650

My Goal

$2,500

Select amount to donate

$52
$89
$128
$245
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My Swim Progress

I've swum

10.53km (421 laps)

My Goal

10km

How do you compare to other participants?

Average Distance Swum: 16m

Average Distance Goal: 18KM

My Impact

So far this year I helped provide...

662

Young people with vital mental health support.

Fundraising Progress

Raised

$2650

My Goal

$2,500

So far, you’ve raised 106% of your fundraising goal!

Raised

$15487

My Team Goal

$10,000

So far, you’ve raised 155% of your fundraising goal!

Raised

$3,465,931

All Goal

$3,600,000

So far, you’ve raised 97% of your fundraising goal!

My Team Members

Thorpey's Heroes

Member

Jacqui Dawborn

Raised so far:

$3,003.40

Thorpey's Heroes

Member

Peter McDonald (C)

Raised so far:

$5,723.40

Thorpey's Heroes

Member

Nick McDonald

Raised so far:

$1,251.77

Thorpey's Heroes

Member

Kerry Dawborn

Raised so far:

$2,649.61

Thank you to my Sponsors

Life-Saving Donation

$275

Mike Dawborn

You made it!

Life-Saving Donation

$257.25

Anonymous

A very worthy cause❤️

$211

Anne & John Dawborn

Well done Kerry. You are remarkable. Best of luck

$211

Matched by Neilson Foundation and The Gonski Foundation

$135.04

Kerry Dawborn

$135.04

Caroline Johnston

A very worthy cause. Well done and keep following the black line!

$105.50

Susan Hanselmann

$104

Anonymous

Made on behalf of another lovely friend

$100

Non Blair

Good on you, Kerry!

$93.90

FIona Jarvis

Huge heart. Great cause! Go girl!

$79.13

Janice Chapman

Go Kerry and the family

$63.30

Heather Snowden

All the best Kerry 👍

$63.30

Richard

Hi Kerry, I love what you’re doing. Good on you for being so inspiring.

$63

Caroline Smith

Feel so much for you and Jack, no words really. Good work Kes keep those laps going!

$54.86

Lee Brown

$54.86

Anonymous

Donated on behalf of a very kind friend.

$54.86

Cindy-lee Harper

Swim!

$54.86

Lachlan McDonald

$54.60

Coral Findlow

$52.75

Irene Zvieger

Good on you Kerry !

$51

Anonymous

$50

Anonymous

Very welcome donation on behalf of Erica Stevenson. Thank you so much, Erica!

$50

Archimedes Heath Dawborn

$31.65

Marisa Tan

$31.65

Anonymous

Hi Kerry! Well done on doing this great thing and raising the money you have somfar. Sorry I can't give more at this time, but my wildlife care takes a good chunk of my spare $. Good luck with reaching your goal. Xxx

$31.65

Di Elliffe

Well done, Kerry. Keep getting stronger in that pool!

$28.08

Brett Barker

$27

Lisa Jobson

So proud of you and your writer and commitment x

$26.38

Lainie Lane

Keep going Kerry

$21.10

Sheena Davis

$21.10

Anita Cochrane

$21

Cecilia L

$20

Heather

$10.55

Tamara Griffiths

$5.20

Delldint Fleming