Seth McBean is planning to swim 20 kilometres this month to raise money for youth mental health.

His Laps for Life fundraiser aims to raise $1000 for Reachout.com, Australia’s leading online mental health service, designed to help young people deal with whatever stress life is throwing at them.

The 13-year-old from Newhaven College is off to a flying start, having completed 5.5 kms and raising over $755 in his first week.

Mum Karli Di Paola said Seth was a keen swimmer and member of the Phillip Island Swimming Club, and he was already in training for the summer carnivals. “He is really loving his swimming at the moment, and I saw Laps for Life online and asked him if he was interested.”

Seth jumped at the challenge and the family then approached the Phillip Island Swimming Club for help.

“I spoke to Lucy, the president of the club and asked if he could do some extra swimming while the pre-squad is training at the Cowes pool. They’ve roped off a lane for him and the first night he did 88 laps of the pool.

“I really want to thank the swimming club for donating his lane during squad training,” Karli said. “He’s set himself a target of 20 kilometres, but he wants to smash that.”

Currently doing squad on Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays, Karli said they will also drive over to the Wonthaggi pool on the weekends, to swim some more. “We’ve just got to fit it in around footy training and homework!”

Newhaven College has thrown their support behind the fund raiser, posting updates in the school’s morning messages.

Describing him as a “quiet achiever”, Karli said the challenge is not just good for Seth’s physical health.

“It’s something for him to focus on and it will be a big achievement. It’s a good challenge for him. He’s very competitive in the carnivals, so to do this for himself and raise money for someone else is a good thing.”

In the pool, he’ll be concentrating on freestyle and his favourite stroke breaststroke, to notch up his 20 kms.

And his family are behind him all the way.

“I’m proud of him,” Karli said. “We’ve discovered that quite a few friends’ children have really struggled lately, and especially over the last few years with Covid.

“He’s had a good response from everyone and that makes him feel like he’s doing a good thing.”

She’s hoping the whole community can get behind him and help him reach his fundraising goal.

To make a donation, go to www.lapsforlife.com.au/fundraisers/sethmcbean