Two of Australia’s most inspiring ultramarathon swimmers and record holders, Andy Donaldson and Josie Page, will take on one of the toughest endurance challenges imaginable during this year’s Telethon Weekend — a 33.3km swim-run-swim from Rottnest Island to Elizabeth Quay — to raise funds for youth mental health research at the Perron Institute.
Known as Team Andy’s Swim for Telethon, the event is back bigger than ever in 2025, combining world-class sporting grit with a powerful community causes.
Now in its third year, the event has already raised over $47,000 for Telethon and the Perron Institute, capturing hearts across WA and highlighted as one of Telethon’s Top Moments for two years running.
This year’s edition promises to be the most ambitious yet, with:
• Challenge 33.3 – Andy Donaldson and Josie Page tackling the Rottnest-to-city endurance swim on Sunday 19 October.
• The Virtual Swim – hundreds of swimmers joining in remotely, completing either 19.7km or 33.3km distances in pools, oceans, and lakes to show their support.
WA Premier Roger Cook and AFL great David Mundy will once again lace up for the land leg of the challenge, joining the community in a show of solidarity for young Western Australians facing mental health struggles.
Andy (Andrew) Donaldson, a three-time world record-holding open water swimmer from Scotland who has just returned to Perth after breaking a record in Ibiza, said this challenge is about much more than sport.
“Youth mental health is one of the biggest challenges of our time.” Andy said.
“Swimming across from Rottnest to Perth is tough, but it’s nothing compared to what many young people go through daily. This is our way of shining a light and making a difference.”
Joining him is Perth’s own Josie Page, a Port to Pub and international champion and record holder, making her debut as the female face of the challenge.
It’s the first time a man and woman have swum from Rottnest Island to Elizabeth Quay (in the Perth CBD) which is one of the reasons why Josie wanted to get involved.
“When I swam around Manhattan Island with Andy when he broke the world record last year, we were swimming for different reasons,” Josie said.
“This year, we are swimming together for a wonderful community event, raising awareness and much needed funding for young people who are living with mental health issues.”
Funds raised will go directly towards youth mental health research at the Perron Institute, where scientists are working on new treatments for young people, including those who don’t respond to existing therapies.
For the full event details click HERE.