Head Above Water 24-hour swimathon returns in March

The second Head Above Water 24-hour swimathon to raise awareness and funds for mental health services on Sydney’s northern beaches is set to run again on March 14-15 with organisers hopeful participation and fundraising will surpass the 2019 inaugural event.

Andrew Ward, Konica Minolta’s manager of channel and strategic implementation, came up with the activity-based concept last year and was blown away to have raised over $80,000 for outreach services and mental health programs in his local area, which has been hard-hit by high rates of suicide in recent years.

In 2019, 525 swimmers took part in the event, completing 19,026 laps – the equivalent of swimming 951 kilometres.

The event, which is sponsored by Konica Minolta, will again be held at Collaroy and will begin at 8am on Saturday March 14 and finish at 8am on Sunday March 15. Four lanes will be set up in the ocean pool to cater for all levels of swimming ability and participants can choose to swim as many, or as few laps as they’d like. Every swimmer has the opportunity to raise money via their own sponsorship page, or can form a team to raise even more money.

In 2019, Head Above Water partnered with Gotcha4Life (founded by TV and radio personality, Gus Worland), to help support mental health workshops and initiatives across schools, clubs and community groups, including Tomorrow Man, Tomorrow Woman and Man Anchor.

Worland himself summed up the success of the first Head Above Water event: “I remember the swim being one of the best 24 hours this community has ever been associated with; so much money and awareness raised that will help our local community. An amazing day and it’s just the start of a beautiful partnership between
Head Above Water and Gotcha4Life”.

Head Above Water is an activity-based fundraising group that aims to create mentally fit and healthy communities. It was founded in response to the high rate of suicide on Sydney’s northern beaches. Head Above Water said harnessing the power of a positive, supportive network is the most effective way people can make a
difference.

To get involved please contact Andrew Ward, founder, Head Above Water, on 0420 741 167 or email admin@headabovewater.com.au. Alternatively, you can also contact Vanessa Orr, head of community engagement, Gotcha4Life on 0419 340 211 or vanessa.orr@gotcha4life.org

 

 

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