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Alev Altanhan

I’m swimming to save lives!

  • This is my first year diving

  • in for youth mental health

Why I'm Swimming for "Laps for Life"

As a former elite swimmer who faced my own mental health struggles, I know how tough things can get—especially for young people. From the age of 10 to 15, swimming was my life. I trained up to 10 times a week, became a national medalist, and ranked among Australia’s top swimmers for my age. But the pressure eventually took a toll, and I stepped away from the sport as my mental health declined.

Now, as a mother of two, I want to ensure young people have the support I didn’t always have. That’s why this March, I’m swimming for Laps for Life—to raise awareness and funds for mental health resources for youth. Every lap I complete is a step toward helping others get the support they need.

Your donations will directly help prevent youth suicide and provide critical mental health care. Please join me in making a difference!

Beyond the Laps

From the age of 10 to 15, I was deeply immersed in competitive swimming. I didn’t start as early as some of my peers—many had been training for years by the time I joined—but I quickly discovered a passion and talent that drove me to give it my all. The sport became my entire life. At my peak, I was training up to 10 times a week, pushing my body and mind to their limits.

That hard work paid off. I became a medalist at the national level, ranking among the top swimmers in Australia for my age. But despite the success, the pressure and intensity of the sport took it's toll on my mental health. I made the tough decision to step away from swimming, a choice that was driven, in part, by the decline of my own well-being.

After leaving the sport, things became incredibly difficult. I battled severe mental health struggles, learning how to navigate living a life when I didn't want to. 

Now, as a mother to two young children, my perspective has shifted. I want to ensure that my kids grow up in a world where mental health is taken seriously and where they have the resources to reach out for support when they need it. My journey has been one of growth and healing, and it’s this experience that motivates me to give back.


Please Help Me
Reach My Goal

Raised

$275

My Goal

$500

Select amount to donate

$52
$89
$128
$245
$245
$540
$756
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My Swim Progress

I've swum

22.50km (900 laps)

My Goal

20km

How do you compare to other participants?

Average Distance Swum: 9m

Average Distance Goal: 16KM

My Impact

So far this year I helped provide...

69

Young people with vital mental health support.

Fundraising Progress

Raised

$275

My Goal

$500

So far, you’ve raised 55% of your fundraising goal!

Raised

$0

My Team Goal

$0

So far, you’ve raised nan% of your fundraising goal!

Raised

$3,603,419

All Goal

$3,600,000

So far, you’ve raised 101% of your fundraising goal!

Thank you to my Sponsors

$83.56

Ayla Altanhan

$56.24

Anonymous

$56.24

Matched by Reef Shark Foundation

$56.24

Creative by Crispy

~Just keep swimming~

$22.58

C J