22.6 C
Byron Shire
April 25, 2024

Swimmers take plunge for mental health

Latest News

Appeal to locate missing man – Tweed Heads

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a man missing from Tweed Heads West.

Other News

Child protection workers walk off the job in Lismore

Lismore and Ballina child protection caseworkers stopped work to protest outside the defunct Community Services Centre in Lismore yesterday after two years of working without an office. They have been joined by Ballina child protection caseworkers who had their office shut in January.

Celebrating Tweed Museum’s 20th anniversary with all and everything

A stunning new exhibition has opened to celebrate the Tweed Regional Museum's 20th anniversary – Omnia: all and everything.

A grim commemoration

US President Jo Biden, responding to a question, made the comment that the US is considering the dropping of...

Paul Watson has his say on Sea Shepherd ousting

Regarding your article concerning the split in Sea Shepherd. I established Sea Shepherd as a global movement, not as an organisation, controlled by a few men. It was a democratic association of independent national entities

D-day for Bruns pod village pesticide treatment

After two delays, the NSW Reconstruction Authority (RA) will be treating Bruns emergency pods with a pesticide treatment, despite some strong opposition from flood-affected residents.

Press release vs Save Wallum views

The Echo editor (page 1, 10 April) might need to consider the role of a journalist – particularly that...

The lads swam 200 laps each as part of their Laps for Life fundraising at Byron pool last Saturday. Photo supplied

Swimmers took to Byron Bay pool and swam over 2000 laps to raise money to help improve services to support youth mental health.

Laps for Life is an Australia-wide event held during March and aims to raise money through sponsored swimmers, to provide professional support to young people experiencing mental health issues. 

A local team, including Michael Gudgeon, Michael Annetts, Tim Reed, Geoff Miller and Nat Lindsay swam 10km continuously on Saturday.

‘We took turns in taking the lead and it took just over three hours. It was fantastic swimming beside world champion triathlete Tim Reed, who actually swam it with his broken arm in a cast,’ Michael said.

‘The enthusiasm for the swim felt by the swimmers was amazing and infectious. 

The team was joined by several other swimming groups associated with the Byron Bay Surf Club.

‘The Nippers made a combined effort of 901 laps throughout the afternoon with 28 nippers, 12 parents and nine Surf Club members having a go. The Stingrays made a combined effort of 270 laps with 13 swimmers.

‘Thank you too, to the Byron Surf Club and all the generous people who have now together donated over $8,000,’ said Michael. 

Fund raising runs until the end of the month.
Get involved and donate here.

Michael is hoping to get to a total of $10,000.


Support The Echo

Keeping the community together and the community voice loud and clear is what The Echo is about. More than ever we need your help to keep this voice alive and thriving in the community.

Like all businesses we are struggling to keep food on the table of all our local and hard working journalists, artists, sales, delivery and drudges who keep the news coming out to you both in the newspaper and online. If you can spare a few dollars a week – or maybe more – we would appreciate all the support you are able to give to keep the voice of independent, local journalism alive.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Police out in force over the ANZAC Day weekend with double demerit points

Anzac Day memorials and events are being held around the country and many people have decided to couple this with a long weekend. 

Child protection workers walk off the job in Lismore

Lismore and Ballina child protection caseworkers stopped work to protest outside the defunct Community Services Centre in Lismore yesterday after two years of working without an office. They have been joined by Ballina child protection caseworkers who had their office shut in January.

Youth crime is increasing – what to do?

There is something strange going on with youth crime in rural and regional Australia. Normally, I treat hysterical rising delinquency claims with a pinch of salt – explicable by an increase in police numbers, or a headline-chasing tabloid, or a right-wing politician. 

Coffs Harbour man charged for alleged online grooming of young girl

Sex Crimes Squad detectives have charged a Coffs Harbour man for alleged online grooming offences under Strike Force Trawler.