Laps For Life

Ian Thorpe AM challenges Aussies to swim in support of youth mental health this March

ReachOut's Laps for Life - March 2021

Ian Thorpe AM, Patron and Board Member of Australia's most accessed online mental health service for young people, ReachOut, is calling on people across Australia to jump in the water in March for Laps for Life – a month-long swimming challenge.

Laps for Life raises funds and awareness for young people in Australia living with mental health difficulties and to help prevent youth suicide. This is a particularly significant cause this year with young people's mental health being heavily impacted by COVID-19 restrictions.

Ian Thorpe AM said that now is a vital time to get involved in this important cause.

"The mental health of young people across Australia has been profoundly impacted by issues such as COVID-19 lockdowns, high unemployment levels, financial stress and uncertainty about the future, and as we move into 2021, ReachOut continues to support more young people across Australia than ever before.

"Despite the country wide lockdowns, the Laps for Life community swam more than 35,000 kilometres in 2020. An incredible achievement.

"This year, I'm challenging everyone to help us smash that record by jumping in the pool or the ocean and get swimming to raise funds to support our young people. By joining Laps for Life you really are swimming to save lives by helping to improve youth mental health and reduce suicide," he said.

Tracey Campbell, Director of Marketing and Fundraising at ReachOut, said taking part in Laps for Life also has wellbeing benefits for participants.

"2020 was a very challenging year and many of us will feel the impacts of COVID-19 for some time to come. That means some of us are starting 2021 feeling a bit flat. Swimming – and exercise in general – is a great way to improve our mental health and wellbeing. At the same time, swimmers help raise funds for the work ReachOut does to help so many young Aussies through whatever life throws at them," she said.

Laps for Life is open to everyone across Australia and is simple to take part in. People can get involved by visiting lapsforlife.com.au to register a personal swimming challenge and fundraise for youth mental health. Participants set their own lap or distance goal and then dive on in. Whether they're swimming in a pool or getting out into the ocean, they log their laps to record their progress.

Leading International swim brand Zoggs returns as Principal Partner for the event in 2021. Zoggs originated in Australia and is known for their innovative and award-winning goggles, Zoggs is generously supporting the event via product donation to reward all fundraising participants. To learn more about Zoggs, visit: zoggs.com.au.