Avoca resident and paramedic Josh Barnes will jump into the pool in support of ReachOut’s annual Laps for Life initiative for the third year in March.
The month-long swimming challenge raises funds to increase awareness around young people in Australia living with mental health difficulties and to help prevent youth suicide.
As in previous years Barnes will assemble a team of swimmers named Jess’s Squad in honour of his late sister Jess, who was a champion swimmer and won state titles in both surf and pool.
“Later in life she experienced mental health battles and she passed away two years ago through other circumstances,” Barnes said.
Jess’s Squad is growing.
The first year there were just eight people taking part, last year the squad swelled to around 30, but this year Barnes is hoping there will be 50 or so swimmers on the squad.
“The first two years I confined it to a limited number of people but this year I have really put the word out,” he said.
“We have more doctors, paramedics and other health professionals joining in.
“I also reached out to 5 Star Swim Schools, where both Jess and I trained and spoke to my old coach, who is going to get the kids there on board.”
With last year’s effort raising almost $11,000 for the cause, Barnes has set his sights a little higher this year and hopes to rake in $20,000.
He has upped his personal goal too.
“Last year I managed 30km and I’ve put that up a bit this year to 40km,” he said.
Each member of the squad will log laps swum in March on the lapsforlife website, to be added to the squad’s tally.
Five-time Olympic champion Ian Thorpe is a patron and ambassador for Laps for Life and is challenging people of all ages to jump in from March 1-31 and swim laps at the local pool or beach to raise critical funds.
“It’s time to rally together as a nation to participate in ReachOut’s Laps for Life in support of youth mental health and suicide prevention,” Thorpe said.
“As the pandemic continues, young people are being disproportionately impacted and can feel stressed about key issues such as the impacts of COVID, and concerns about the future.
“All funds raised in the month-long swimming challenge will provide vital support for the one in four young people in Australia currently experiencing mental health issues.
“For those who are looking to improve their swimming skills or haven’t hit the water in a while, Laps For Life is the perfect opportunity to make a splash.
“Not only can swimming benefit your health and wellbeing but you will be helping young people in Australia be happy and well.”
ReachOut CEO, Ashley de Silva, said more than 2.8 million turned to ReachOut’s resources and tools to get help last year.
“Laps for Life exists so that ReachOut can continue to support young people across Australia when it comes to mental health and suicide prevention,” de Silva said.
To register to take part in Laps for Life or to sponsor Jess’s Squad, visit: lapsforlife.com.au.
Terry Collins