Why I swim
I’m swimming this March because too many young lives are lost to suicide. Every lap I swim will help make sure there’s a safe place for young people to turn when life feels overwhelming.
I'm swimming in honour of TIMOTHY RUSS.
Timothy was 23 when he decided to quit drugs and start a new chapter. So he returned to the safe environment of his parents with his bags packed ready to go to Rehab. The wait to get in was 2 months. He didn't make it. He took his life and his parents found him in the garage when they arrived home. He was on his own in the house for 45 minutes when his mind overtook him. I met the family in the wake of his death: at his funeral and saw with my own eyes the incredibly hard road the family had to forge in the wake of Timothy's death. The loss by suicide is such a cruel one. So many unasked and unanswered questions for those left behind. And as a parent myself I cannot imagine the strength it must take parents in this position to have to pick up the pieces of their own shattered self and then "be there" for your remaining children. The change is permanent. The pain is real and it doesn't fade. I feel for people left behind to navigate their lives after a child or sibling suicides. One of the biggest issues the parents Carol and Mike found was the lack of awareness and support at the time of Tims passing and Carol became driven trying to make for changes in society in the midst of her grief. Young people are so important. They are our present joy and our future hope. I want young people to know how precious they are - people you don't even know are praying for you and deeply care about you.
If you are struggling in any way PLEASE REACH OUT!
More than 1 in 3 are experiencing mental health difficulties, yet over a million are not getting the support they need.
ReachOut provides anonymous, free and 100% online services so young people can find a safe place to connect, share and get help when life feels overwhelming.
I’m taking part in Laps for Life to make sure these vital services are always there. Please donate to my fundraiser and help more young people get the support they deserve.
My Swim Progress
Completed
33.00km (2,480 laps)
My goal
30km
My Impact
So far I’ve raised $1,532 to provided 383.03 young people experiencing mental health difficulties with vital support.
Top Donation
$106
Theresa & Clay Sulek
Shoutout to Theresa & Clay Sulek – my biggest supporter so far with a $106 donation to help young people get the mental health support they need through ReachOut!
Funds Raised
Note: displays max previous 3 years of fundraising only
My Gallery
Thank you to my
supporters
$106.12
Theresa & Clay Sulek
$106.12
Courtney and Alex
Great job Maryanne!
$106.12
Jo M
Good luck and best wishes Mary-Anne.
$94.86
Angie
You have got this gorgeous girl.
$94.86
Michael Fleet
Great cause Mary-ann
$94.86
Graham Dodd
Did not understand it had to go through your portal. I do understand about giving it to Rusty!
$94.86
Barbara DAngio
It’s been great seeing your passion and dedication to this very worthy cause
$64.67
Dianne Rea
Good on you Mary-Anne you are such a beautiful person. ♥️
$60
Bernie McInerney
Great job Mary Anne - keep it up! Cheers, Bernie
$56.24
Trish Langdon
Congratulations Mary-Anne! xx Awesome effort!! ⭐️
$56.24
Jen Marsh
Such a worthy cause! You go girl👏
$56.24
Amanda Fiedler
Great effort Mary-Anne, such a fantastic cause!
$56.24
Christine Freeman
Well done Mary-Anne 👏
$54.12
Russell Brown
Great initiative Mary-Anne 👏👏
$54.12
Amanda Heynen
More than happy to support such a worthy cause xxx
$38.33
Anonymous
$33.15
Mary-Anne Gordon
$33.15
Matched by Gonski Foundation
$33.15
GD
$33.15
F Clark
$33.15
Julie Simpson
Hi love, every little bit helps.
$30.94
Julie Simpson
You've kicked a bloody big goal love! Go you good thang!!! 🤎💙🧡🩵🤎
$27.81
Chris Connell
$22.58
Julie Simpson
Hi love, l know it's not much, however, it's what l can afford
$22.58
Anonymous
Great effort, Mary Anne
$22.58
Anonymous
$22.58
Kell
“Thank you for giving hope to people who need it most.”
$11.65
Rebecca Taha
Keep on swimming xx
$11.65
Julie Ross
Thankyou 🙏
We are so proud of you - thank you for doing this and raising awareness to this cause. ❤️