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Kirsten H

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.

Thank you

After a mammoth effort to pass the 36 km mark on 31st March, I have spent the past week resting and reflecting on how special Laps for Life has been. To all who supported and cheered my swim – THANK YOU! Thank you also to the Laps for Life campaign team, who were a wonderful support throughout the challenge. I really felt a part of the swimming community and have a greater understanding of the supports available for youth mental health.

And yes, I will continue to swim.

That's a wrap! 36.3 km!!

The face of one exhausted but happy Laps for Life lapper!
My goals were revised from 24km to 26km to 31km throughout this journey - and yesterday and today I pushed myself a further 5km to pass the 36km mark. Incentive$ from a cheeky friend in Switzerland might have helped!
Yesterday I was accompanied by a fellow lapper - 10 year old Jade, who has been undertaking this challenge with the support of her dad, Hamish. I met Jade through this challenge and it was fun doing some laps together yesterday. Jade will be happy to learn that I perfected the tumble turn today - "just do a somersault, it will work out for you!". It did!

Stroke development

Throughout this month I have been focusing on stroke development.  I can now breaststroke with full head submersion, powering up to take a breath.
I am most comfortable doing backstroke, although I still run into the lane ropes occasionally! Tonight at dusk I watched the birds fly into roost while I completed my backstroke laps. It was very peaceful.
Freestyle has been my biggest challenge. I have had to really focus on breathing technique. At times I have had a sense of panic when I accidentally inhale water with the (un)coordination of my head turns!  I am most comfortable taking a breath every second stroke, although I can push it out at times to four strokes.
4 days to go!! Thank you so much everyone for your continued support. xx

In my 20s!!

Yesterday I passed the 20km mark! I feel so much stronger, fitter and happier. Water truly is my happy place :-)
As I enter the final week of Laps for Life, I think of her, the young woman who touched our lives with her cheeky grin, and so sadly took her own life at 24.  Some of you may have connected the dots with my 24km target for the swim. In memory of R, and to continue to raise awareness this week, I am increasing my laps target to 26km - the age she would have turned this year.  
For those who have capacity to donate, and who would like to, I am very grateful for your support!

Harmony Day - 75% swim goal complete!

Our local pool celebrated Harmony Day today - free entry if you wore orange, plus a morning tea after my laps!
I had a helper prepare for the day last night.
Oh, and did I mention I passed the 18km mark today - 75% there with one week to go!

Double digits

yay! I hit the double digits today. Although I was hoping to be at my halfway point (12km) in Mid-March (15th), cyclone Alfred had other plans! Delay of one week due to closures and clean up. Fortunately my favourite gum trees by the pool survived - still standing, with returning birdlife! oh and did I mention - I’m into the double digits 10!!!!

Back after Alfie!

Huge Kudos to the local pool staff who worked hard to clean up and re-open the pool following ex-tropical cyclone Alfred!
Feels great to be back in the pool after a week staying safe out of the weather!

Day 3

Thank you so much for all of your support, and interest in the work of Reach Out and how Laps for Life contributes.

I have just completed day 3 and did a few more laps than I anticipated. (Getting in quick just in case Cyclone Alfred brings some nasty weather later in the week!!)

Please Help Me
Reach My Goal

Raised

$1,061

My Goal

$750

Select amount to donate

$52
$89
$128
$245
$245
$540
$756
$1000
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Donate

My Swim Progress

I've swum

36.30km (726 laps)

My Goal

31km

How do you compare to other participants?

Average Distance Swum: 9m

Average Distance Goal: 16KM

My Impact

So far this year I helped provide...

265

Young people with vital mental health support.

Fundraising Progress

Raised

$1061

My Goal

$750

So far, you’ve raised 141% of your fundraising goal!

Raised

$0

My Team Goal

$0

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

Raised

$3,658,702

All Goal

$3,600,000

So far, you’ve raised 102% of your fundraising goal!

Thank you to my Sponsors

$231.98

Jamie

Great work! Strong finish

$106.12

David Smith

$56.24

Ceinwen McKindley

Good on you.

$56.24

Sharon Payne

$56.24

Aaron Hentschel

$54.12

Sherril Akers

Keep on swimming 😘

$54.12

Amanda Westerberg

$52.92

Helena Ray

Way to Go, Smashing it!!

$50

Kirsten Hentschel

$50

Matched by Reef Shark Foundation

$50

Joanne Neeland

Well done Kirsten - great cause

$50

Terry Hentschel

$42

Alice Holmes

Congrats on all this!! You are a legend!

$31

Dianne Hancock

A dollar a day for a good cause. Great swimming too.

$26.38

Jadzia Clifford-Pugh

$22.58

Maude Kransky

$22.58

Ben Keily

Great work!

$22.58

Maureen Bennetts

Have fun & a great thing to do xx

$20

Jodie Gibson

$6.13

Michelle Downey