Geraldton woman Keitha Bradley raises $4000 for youth mental health after learning to swim at 77 years-old

A 77-year-old Geraldton woman has proven age is no boundary, after recently learning how to swim and successfully completed a 15km swimming challenge throughout March, raising awareness and funds for suicide prevention. Geraldton’s Keitha Bradley has undertaken the Reach Out Australia’s Laps for Life campaign, a nationwide swimming-based fundraiser, which aims to support young people in Australia and ensure they have support needed in times of distress. After learning to swim later in life, she decided to use her newfound skill for good, and committed to swimming 500m daily and achieving her 15km goal across the month of March. Bradley said the challenge was about far more than distance. “My motto seems to be never say never,” she said. “Learning to swim at 77 has reminded me that we are never too old to try something new, challenge ourselves, or give back in ways that matter.” Bradley has received overwhelming community support, raising more than $4000, with people’s generosity encouraging her to increase her funding goal as the month went on. “At the beginning, I set my goal at $500,” she said. “Then I lifted it to $1000, then $1500, then $2000, then $2500 and eventually I thought, ‘let’s aim for $4000.” As of March 29, Bradley’s goal has been surpassed once again, with $4324 raised. In regional Australia, reported mental health illnesses are similar to metropolitan areas, however access to mental health services is limited, contributing to increased rates of self-harm and suicide due to remoteness and lack of access. Bradley believes the cause resonates deeply with many people in the community and hopes it raised awareness. “This subject is close to home for many families,” she said. “As we move through the coming year with challenges like homelessness and growing pressures on young people, supporting youth mental health feels more important than ever.” Bradley hoped her journey inspired others to challenge themselves and their beliefs about what was possible. “If sharing this inspires even one person to try something they once thought they were too old for, then that would mean the world to me,” she said. “You’re never too old to grow, learn something new, or make a difference.” Throughout Australia, more than $3 million has been raised — to donate to Bradley’s fundraiser, head to lapsforlife.com.au Lifeline 13 11 14 Rural Link 1800 552 002