General News
30 March, 2023
Poppy makes a splash with fundraising efforts
One of Maryborough’s youngest residents has dived head first into fundraising, swimming 10,000 kilometres in support of charity ReachOut. Eleven-year-old Poppy Smith has been on a mission this month, making her way down to the Maryborough Sports...
One of Maryborough’s youngest residents has dived head first into fundraising, swimming 10,000 kilometres in support of charity ReachOut.
Eleven-year-old Poppy Smith has been on a mission this month, making her way down to the Maryborough Sports & Leisure Centre’s indoor pool and swimming laps up to three times a week.
From the outside it might look like the keen swimmer has been hard at work training for an upcoming swim meet, but the reality is Poppy has been swimming laps every week for a cause close to home.
ReachOut is a not-for-profit organisation that organises the annual Laps for Life event, which sees people from all across the country swim laps to raise awareness and funding for youth mental health support.
“I wanted to raise money and help out,” Poppy said.
“I like swimming and helping people, this was something I could do to help.”
Poppy has completed her goal of swimming 10,000 kilometres - 400,000 laps of the pool - and is well on the way to reaching her fundraising goal of $2000, with over $1300 in the bank so far.
The first time she’s done a fundraiser like this, Poppy said everyone’s been very supportive, especially mum and dad, and that she’s loved every minute of it.
“I’m swimming three nights a week and it’s easy, I like it,” she said.
“Everyone has been supportive of what I’m doing which is good.”
While the Laps for Life event wraps up today, donations to ReachOut remain open until April 30 and can be made to Poppy online at www.lapsforlife.com.au/fundraisers/poppysmith/laps-for-life