The results are in for LAP it UP! The final tally is $38,926 — making a splash for Youth Live4Life.
Photo: Kim Selby.
MEDIA RELEASE: 8 DECEMBER 2022
The results are in for LAP it UP! The final tally is $38,926 — making a splash for Youth Live4Life.
LAP it UP is a fitness and fundraising challenge to swim laps for youth mental health awareness and suicide prevention in rural and regional communities.
How many laps did we swim in 11 days? An astonishing 25,028 laps. That’s 625 kilometres! At the event finale, we were there to high-five Claire and Caleb at the pool – young people who swam a staggering 1000 laps.
Youth Live4Life CEO Bernard Galbally – who made a splash every day for 11 days and gave everyone a swim for their money – congratulated all LAP it UP swimmers on their participation:
LAP it UP has been an incredible success. The funds raised help us reach, support and improve the mental health and wellbeing of young people living in rural and regional communities through our award-winning Live4Life initiative. LAP it UP embodies Youth4Life's goal of empowering young people to speak up and seek help when needed.
In 2018, father and daughter team Sean and Kirsten McKinney hosted an event at their local Gisborne pool with the aim to run a continual relay and swim 2866 laps (2866 being the number of Australians that suicided in 2017). Over 5500 laps were swum on the day. After two years of Covid-19 lockdowns, Woodend-based health promotion charity Youth Live4Life were passionate about continuing the McKinney's wonderful legacy.
Youth Live4Life Fundraising and Marketing Manager Cheryl Eyssens said:
It was truly inspiring to witness participants from all over the country, striving for their very best both in and out of the water to support youth mental health. We are so grateful to all who participated and supported LAP it UP and we look forward to a bigger and better event in 2023!
www.lapitup.org.au #LAPitUP #LAPitUPswim