Inspired to make a splash
When Georgia McKay learned that the Amberley Fire Brigade has taken up the challenge of swimming in the Amberley pool for 24 hours on Saturday 24 February to raise money for I Am Hope, she wanted to contribute and felt it was a good chance to get others in the water to raise awareness as well.
Although the Cook Strait separates the Amberley Fire Brigade (AFB) to the Feilding Volunteer Fire Brigade, Swim for Hope will unite the two for a common cause.
When Georgia McKay learned that the AFB has taken up the challenge of swimming in the Amberley pool for 24 hours on Saturday 24 February to raise money for I Am Hope, she wanted to contribute and felt it was a good chance to get others in the water to raise awareness as well. As a Feilding Volunteer Fire Brigade member, McKay sees firsthand the number of mental health related calls in the area and shares the same concern for the mental well-being of the youth in our community and throughout New Zealand. The tag line ‘helping our youth keep their heads above the water’ was a fitting compliment to the event.
Partnering with the Makino Aquatic Centre, McKay’s modified event will take place during the Makino Aquatic Centre’s business hours. There will be a designated lane available to those swimmers who would like to join in and swim a few laps for a good cause. A poster and gold coin donation bucket will feature at the lane to raise awareness and money for the cause.
“Whether you are able to swim a couple of laps on the day, donate to the cause, or simply check in and have the conversation with a friend, family member or neighbour about mental health, it all adds up to eliminating the number of purple calls we respond to,” Mckay explains.
The swim lane will be open for the day for swimmers to jump in and out of with all money raised being contributed to the Amberley Fire Brigade’s goal of raising $100 000.00. Mckay does not plan to be at the lane for the full day but has a personal lap goal she hopes to achieve. The opportunity to swim is open to all ages and abilities. Whether you swim one lap, toss a gold coin in the bucket, or simply check in with a friend it all adds up.
To donate directly to the Amberley’s Give a Little page visit: Amberley Fire Brigade Swim For Hope - Givealittle
Event Details:
Swim for Hope
Saturday 24 February, 8am-6pm
Makino Aquatic Centre, 10 Council Place Feilding
Free to participate but to donate visit: Amberley Fire Brigade Swim For Hope - Givealittle