Andy Donaldson’s epic swim for Telethon returns Sunday 20 October 2024 after popular acclaim in 2023.
This year, Team Andy is thrilled to announce a new partnership with the Rottnest Channel Swim Association (RCSA) and Swimming WA.
Swim Clubs across WA are invited to participate in a virtual swim at their local pool in the week before the event, swimming 19.7km (equivalent to the distance from Rottnest Island to Leighton Beach).
To reflect these changes, the event has been renamed to Team Andy’s Swim for Telethon.
Andy Donaldson is a three-time world record ultra-marathon swimmer from Perth. In July 2023, he made history by becoming the first person to complete the Oceans Seven, the world’s seven toughest channel swims, within one year. Andy was also the solo winner of the Rottnest Channel Swim in 2021. Andy has just returned from the Epic Swim Maui – a world-first 220km circumnavigation of Maui, Hawaii, that served as a powerful call to action for ocean health.
Proudly sponsored by the Perron Institute, Team Andy’s Swim for Telethon 2024 will raise funds for Telethon and Youth Mental Health research at the Perron Institute. Youth Mental Health is a major focus for Andy and the Perron Institute as we strive for personalised treatment options to improve medical outcomes.
Youth mental illness is one of the most prevalent and devastating health burdens worldwide and although there are numerous pharmacological treatments available, over half of adolescents and young adults treated for mental illness do not respond to current treatments. The multidisciplinary research team at the Perron Institute is investigating emerging alternative treatments that have the potential to deliver long-term benefits to young people’s lives.
Andy will swim 33km from Rottnest Island to Elizabeth Quay on Sunday 20th October in support of Youth Mental Health.
Event Schedule – Sunday 20 October
6:00am to 11:00am Swim 1: Rottnest Island to Leighton Beach 20km Swim – approx 5 hrs
11:00am to 12:00pm Run: Leighton Beach to Mosman Bay
12:00pm to 3:00pm Swim 2: Mosman Bay to Elizabeth Quay
Swim Clubs
Register your Swim Club to compete in the 19.7km virtual swim in your local pool. No registration fees apply for swim clubs, but we would love you to conduct your own fundraising drive via the link below. The highest fundraising team will win a special visit from Andy to their swim club.
Spectators
Spectators will be able to cheer Andy on from the river’s edge as he departs Mosman Bay, from yacht club houses as he passes, or from Elizabeth Quay for his arrival.
Make a Donation
Help support Team Andy’s Swim for Telethon here:
By supporting Team Andy’s Swim for Telethon, you will contribute to vital research for youth mental health.
Note: Scheduled timings are estimates only and will be subject to conditions on the day.
For more information, click here: