I'm getting active in support of Lifeline
Swim For Life
Here’s a statistic that rocked me to the core when I first heard it: The leading cause of death for Australians between the age of 15-44 is suicide.
As a teenager & young adult, I’ve seen first hand what it looks like for someone to go through a personal crisis. I’ve seen friends struggle with depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. Tragically, I’ve also seen many young people lose their lives to suicide.
Due to these personal experiences, In 2025 I decided to spend time with Lifeine as a crisis supporter, talking to Australians in their lowest moments. It was a deeply impactful experience, and I learnt first hand about the personal tragedies in many peoples lives.
What stuck out to me was the common themes that ran through the callers stories. Despite the individual circumstances being different, many were facing variations of similar issues. Loneliness, hopelessness, financial insecurity, family and relationship problems - to name a few.
What I learnt, and didn’t know earlier in my life, was how what so many of us need in these times of struggle is a kind ear and someone willing to sit with you in the pain. To hear your story, validate the emotions, and offer gentle encouragement. This is what lifeline can give to people in crisis, and I’ve seen time and time again the incredible impact of someone on the phone with nothing to do but make sure the person on the other side is safe for the night.
It’s why I want to do my part to continue to help progress their vision of an Australia free of suicide.
I’m obsessed with fitness and personal challenge. Ever since I started training in my first gym at 17, I’ve been in love with the processes of self improvement through physical activity. I think there are some things that you can only learn by pushing yourself past what you thought was possible, when you are deep in the discomfort that only sport can provide.
In 2024 I completed my first ever Ironman triathlon. It was the most difficult thing I’ve done in my life, but what I remember most fondly was the community and support I received from my friends and family. To race something that difficult can not be done alone, and out of the many things I learnt about myself that race, one of the most important was how essential having a community behind you is.
Connecting the dots, I want to call upon an even wider community this time around. Being the true WA local that I am, I can think of no better challenge than facing down the 2027 Rottnest solo crossing, and asking you for help to hit my fundraising goal of $10,000 for lifeline.
To say I’m scared is an understatement. Despite having swum in high school (and skipping most of my training - don’t tell my mum), swimming in the ocean is one of my biggest fears. I can think of no better event to symbolise the personal difficulties and burdens that so many Australians are living with every day.
I deeply appreciate your support and your giving to the cause. Lifeline’s data suggests that it costs $39 to provide a call to a help seeker. If we hit our target, we are raising enough to provide over 250 calls to Australians who really need it.
I kindly ask that if what I’ve written here has resonated with you that you share the story with as many people as you can - it means the absolute world to me to have the support of so many of you!
Let’s go!
Chris
