JESSICA EVANS IS TRULY AN INSPIRATION TO US ALL. JESSICA WANTS TO DO HER PART IN TRYING TO RAISE MONEY FOR THE RUOK FOUNDATION, HOPING TO HELP THEM SAVE LIVES THAT ARE TRAGICALLY LOST TO SUICIDE. THIS IS CLOSE TO JESSICA’S HEART AS SHE LOST HER UNCLE BARRY WHO TRAGICALLY TOOK HIS OWN LIFE, PROMPTING HER TO SWIM AROUND MORETON ISLAND LAST YEAR AND IN DOING SO, SHE RAISED A WHOPPING $30,000 FOR THE BLACK DOG INSTITUTE. THE SWIM WAS DEDICATED TO JESSICA’S UNCLE BARRY. WHAT A WONDERFUL OUTCOME, WITH THE MONEY HELPING SO MANY IN NEED.
This year is Jessica’s last year of Marathon Swimming so she wanted to do something else to better our community before she hangs up the togs… hence, the Black Dog Lap, a circumnavigation swim of Bribie Island. This year funds raised will go to the RUOK foundation. Another fantastic organisation dedicated to helping those in need. What a truly fantastic effort!
Jessica said “This lap is dedicated to anyone out there that is struggling. Please don’t give up.” They are hoping to kick off the swim at the Caloundra end and swim the Pumicestone passage first.
At this stage she is aiming to commence the swim in the first week of March, however the exact start date will be governed by weather and wind forecasts. The swim is around 80kms in length and will take around 3 days to complete.
Bribie Island VMR has been incredible in offering their support and endless amounts of valuable information, which Jessica cannot express her appreciation enough for. Here are some facts you may not know and why this is so important to get behind Jessica and give her as much support as possible.
• About 8 people take their own lives in Australia every day.
• For every death, it’s estimated another 30 people will attempt suicide.
• 89% of people report knowing somebody who has made an attempt.
We all need to help change these numbers.
R U OK?’S vision is of a world where we are all connected and protected from suicide. Their mission is to inspire everyone to meaningfully connect with the people around them and support anyone struggling with life.
By inspiring people to take the time to ask, “Are you OK?” and listen, we can help people who are struggling with life to feel connected long before they even think about suicide.
Jessica would like to thank you so much for your support, as together we will make a difference.
We here at the Bribie Islander wish her the very best in her awesome challenge and we encourage you all to get behind her.
To support Jessica, please donate at https://join.ruok.org.au/fundraisers/jessicaevans/the-black-dog-lap or you are welcome to contact us at the Bribie Islander and we will put you in contact with Jessica.