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Susan Stafford

I'm swimming, in honour of my brother Geoff, to save lives again

  • This is my second year diving

  • in for youth mental health

Well, it's time to do it all again!! I have registered again with Laps for Life to raise much needed funds to increase awareness, prevent youth suicide and support families. I kicked off with my first laps on Saturday -March 1st.

Did you know suicide is the leading cause of death for young people in Australia?

That means that each year more young people die by suicide than in car accidents or from cancer.

This March, I'm swimming to make sure young people in Australia have the mental health support they urgently need.

By sponsoring my challenge, you’ll be helping to prevent youth suicide.

All funds raised will help young people feel better about today and the future, no matter what challenge they're facing.

This year with each lap I am honouring the life of my beloved brother Geoff Stafford! He will be my main inspiration and motivation to get through at least 1km every day this March. 

Together we have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others and I know Geoff would have been right behind me. 

Keep posted for further updates. 

Thank you so much for reading!!

Last swim tomorrow!!

Hi everyone!
Well, I can't believe it is the end of March already. It feels like I started swimming yesterday.... well, not really.... but it has gone super quick. After I swim today I will be very close to 40km's for the month. My original goal was 31 km - 1km a day, but about a week ago I changed it to 40. This goal included swimming every day in March, which I have done, except for one day when both local lap pools were closed due to flooding and power cuts.

So, Laps for Life give us a little grace time in April to swim a little extra and receive donations. In lieu of the day I missed 1 will swim tomorrow to make it 31 days in total.

I am hoping to finish off strong on the fundraising front and although I have gratefully achieved my initial goal of $2000, I am hoping to make it to $2,500. This cause means a great deal to me, our youth are our future and most of us have been touched in some way through youth or adult suicide. It breaks my heart and I can hardly imagine the pain and suffering that occurs for the one who is so desperate and for their families and friends.

It has been a privilege to swim in honour of my brother Geoff who passed away last October! In fact, for all my heavenly family whom I miss very much. Every day I feel his/their presence and encouragement as I tick off each and every lap, each and every day, especially when I have been tired and haven't felt like swimming. 

Today is my heavenly Mum's birthday, so as I swim today she is especially in my thoughts!

To finish up, I am dedicating my 2025 swim to my lovely friend Brenda, who heartbreakingly, recently lost her young son to suicide. May he now rest in peace.

Thank you so much to all my financial supporters and encouragers - I couldn't have done it without you!!

Thank you Reachout and Laps for Life for all you do - you are amazing!!

There will be one more final post in a few days to reveal the final numbers! 

Take care everyone and support each other as best you can!
With my love and best wishes,
Susan xx

9 days to go!

22 days of swimming every day, bar one, done and dusted! On the day I missed all the pools up here were closed due to flooding. 9 days/swims to go!! 

Currently ahead of my laps/distance goal but I need a bit of a lift and some help with the fundraising goal please. It's such a worthy cause and a great investment in youth mental health, suicide prevention and family support! Every little bit helps!

Thank you so much to all my donors and encouragers so far which have helped me stay focused and motivated to go the distance. I really appreciate it, but more importantly, Australian youth will benefit from your support! 

Together we are contributing to making a positive difference in a world where young people face so many challenges. 

Some days I managed to swim 2km's, even when it is raining the water is still warm :)

Have a great weekend!!
Thanks and best wishes,
Susan xx




Day 11 update!!

Hey everyone! 
I am extremely grateful to my amazing sponsors so far-because of you I have reached 31% of my total goal!! Distance wise I am well on track swimming at least one kilometre every day!

I have committed to swimming every day this March in honour of my brother Geoff and for all who have felt or feel like they can’t keep living in this world. I am passionate about mental health. Young people are our future, they influence ours and every life is precious! 

So please help keep me on track and if you can, please consider a small donation, as every little bit helps and makes a positive difference to make the world a better place. In the meantime I will keep challenging myself by swimming every day. 

With gratitude and appreciation, Susan 🏊🏼‍♀️

Please Help Me
Reach My Goal

Raised

$2,662

My Goal

$2,000

Select amount to donate

$52
$89
$128
$245
$245
$540
$756
$1000
$
Donate

My Swim Progress

I've swum

41.65km (1,625 laps)

My Goal

31km

How do you compare to other participants?

Average Distance Swum: 9m

Average Distance Goal: 16KM

My Impact

So far this year I helped provide...

666

Young people with vital mental health support.

Fundraising Progress

Raised

$2662

My Goal

$2,000

So far, you’ve raised 133% of your fundraising goal!

Raised

$0

My Team Goal

$0

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

Raised

$3,601,328

All Goal

$3,600,000

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

Funds raised over the years

NOTE: DISPLAYS PREVIOUS 3 YEARS OF FUNDRAISING ONLY

  • $4,165

    2024

Thank you to my Sponsors

Life-Saving Donation

$255.54

Brenda Mittelman

Congratulations Susan on your incredible achievement. Well done. xxx

$158.25

Susan Stafford

$158.25

Matched by Reef Shark Foundation

$106.12

Sharyn Grinter

Go Sue

$100

Matched by Gonski Foundation & The GPT Group

$100

Mary McL

Remembering brothers.

$100

Mossman Rotary Club

$100

Sheryl Summons

Good on you Susan

$93

Susan Stafford

Privileged to be part of this great cause again!

$93

Matched by The GPT Group

$75

Anonymous

Awesome job Sue

$64.67

ROBERT STAFFORD

Go Susan. You have that added incentive this year

$64.67

Mary West

You are a very inspirational lady.

$60

Angela Woodman

Go Girl! I feel very proud of what you are doing cousin. Making a difference!

$56.24

Judy and Ross Davies

Keep up the good swimming. Love Jude and Ross xx

$56.24

Matched by Gonski Foundation & The GPT Group

$56.24

Anonymous

Well done Susan, you are an inspiration 🙌🌸

$56.24

Leonnie Sim

❤️❤️❤️

$54.12

Lyn Gray

Great Goal Susan 👏👏👏 Such a worthy cause !!

$54.12

Bill Stafford

Great work. Geoff would be very proud of you

$52

Celia

Just do it😘

$52

Brodie McLaughlin

Great stuff mum!

$52

Matched by Gonski Foundation & The GPT Group

$50

Matched by The GPT Group

$50

Matched by The GPT Group

$50

Marie Clifford

Doing a good job, Susan. Geoff would be proud.

$50

Julie Borbiro

$50

Mary West

In honour of Seb!

$50

Rani Vanderneut

Supporting youth mental health!

$50

Matched by The GPT Group

$50

Matt and Anne Maher

$50

Corey McLaughlin

$40

Declan McLaughlin

$40

Matched by The GPT Group

$30

Angela Stafford

Amazing effort swimming so many laps and kms Sue!

$22.58

Anonymous

Your ripples of kindness and love flow out into the world in such a precious and gentle way. Geoff and your mum would be so proud of you. This is such an important cause.

$20

Astrid

Great effort Susan! You can be admired.

$20

Bonus by Reef Shark Foundation

$11

Adele Mizadele

$11

Matched by The GPT Group