Swimming around Tassie for men’s mental health
Tasmania counsellor Ivan Cunningham is swimming around Tasmania throughout November to raise money for men’s mental health.
Ivan started his swimfest on November 4 and has committed to swimming every day for 22 successive days around Tasmania at some extraordinary locations, including Wineglass Beach, Glenhaven, Redhill Beach, Hellyer, and Strahan.
His swims are typically around 2 kilometres, however some are a lot longer, such as his 6.81km swim at Blessington Coastal Reserve on 3 November.
In an introductory video, Ivan describes himself as, “A person who has a lot of skills, I’m not an expert in one.”
A counsellor by training, his purpose is two-fold: to raise money for Men’s Resources Tasmania, and to remind men that if they are facing tough times, it’s okay to talk about their struggles.
“A problem shared, is a problem halved,” he says.
“I’m training to make a difference in men. If we make a difference in men, we make a difference to their wives, to their partners, to their mothers, to their fathers, to their children, to their grandparents.”
During his swim-trek around Tassie, Ivan is available to give talks on men’s mental health for a nominal fee, all of which will be donated to Men’s Resources Tasmania along with donations from the general public.
And while November is famously Movember – marked by men across Australia growing moustaches and completing their own challenges to raise funds for the national men’s health charity - Ivan initiated ‘22 Days Swims’ to keep the money in Tasmania. “I want to make a difference to Tasmanians,” he says.
Ivan is documenting his progress on You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/@ivancunningham742
You can view his schedule and donate here:
Many locals are also joining Ivan on his swims. Check out his Facebook page and also follow his progress on Instagram.
Men’s Resources Tasmania is a community-based not-for-profit organization that activity supports and promotes the wellbeing of men and boys is Tasmania.