Swim It Forward 2022 campaign launched by Swim Australia ahead of peak drowning season

Before Summer arrives, Swim Australia hopes to raise $50,000 through their Swim It Forward 2022 campaign to help children from families in financial need, get enrolled into swimming lessons.

Olympians Elka Whalan, Matt Welsh (OAM) and Andrew Lauterstein joined Swim Australia and partner, popular Hasbro pre-school brand PJ Masks, to launch the Swim It Forward initiative.

Swim Australia Chief Executive Brendon Ward said people could donate as little as $20, enough to provide one child with a swimming lesson.

Ward notes “by giving up a few takeaway coffees for a week, you could be giving an Aussie child the chance to enrol in life-saving swimming lessons. We believe learning to swim is a skill every child should have the chance to develop, regardless of income or ability.”

Ward said Swim Australia hoped to raise $50,000 before summer, to get as many children back into the water learning lifesaving safety skills.

“Our research shows that more than half (55%) of all Australian children are not learning to swim due to the cost to enrol in lessons, and in recent times over eight million swimming lessons were missed due to COVID-19,” he said. “With summer fast approaching, it’s vital we get kids prepared for the busy swimming season.”

Olympian and Swim It Forward Ambassador Elka Whalan (nee Graham) said learning to swim was a core life skill and vital in preventing drownings in the 0-4 age group.

“Anyone can drown and that’s why it’s so important to be armed with water safety skills and why the Swim It Forward initiative is so crucial,” said Whalan.

Ward said Swim Australia research showed that 63.9% of people were willing to give up or reduce spending in other areas to afford swimming lessons for their children.

“We’re encouraging everyone to give up a few luxuries for a week and donate to the campaign. Last year 25 kids aged 0-4 lost their lives to drowning and by donating to the Swim It Forward initiative, we can help turn these tragic figures around.”

To donate to the program visit www.swimitforward.org.au. Organisations can also create branded donation pages and every cent raised goes directly back to families within that local community.

Image: Olympian and Swim It Forward ambassador Elka Whalan with daughter Evita and the PJ Masks characters