Andy Donaldson and Josie Page: Record swimmers dive deep to raise funds for youth mental health

WA’s most inspiring ultra-marathon swimmers have made a remarkable splash for mental health, logging 400 laps in a swimming pool as part of an epic swim-run endurance challenge.

Three-time open water record holder Andy Donaldson was joined by Port to Pub record holder Josie Page at the MLC — Christ Church Grammar School Aquatic Precinct on Sunday morning, raising funds for youth mental health research at the Perron Institute — a Telethon beneficiary — for a third year in a row.

And while wild weather meant the pair could not swim the iconic 19.7km journey from Rottnest Island to Leighton Beach, they completed the same distance — about 400 laps — in the pool, before making their way to Leighton Beach where they were met by Premier Roger Cook, Fremantle Dockers legend David Mundy and a Nippers guard of honour.

Mundy and Mr Cook joined the duo for a triumphant 4km run from Leighton Beach to Mosman Park’s Swan Canoe Club — a feat Mundy described as a “privilege”.

“The Perron Institute do such amazing research so we can understand the problems and find ways to remedy and help those in need,” he said.

“We’ve been doing this event (for three years), and it keeps getting bigger and bigger, and better and better.

“I’m not sure what else Andy can do, he’s an absolutely fish, and it’s great to have some other support this year as well, but to be able to support places like Perron is an absolute privilege.”

From Mosman Park, the pair — who have already raised more than $19,300 — will jump into the Swan River and swim nearly 10km to complete their tremendous triumph at Elizabeth Quay.

Donaldson said it was great to see the community rallying together, adding that youth mental health was one of the “biggest challenges of our time”.

“The atmosphere was so cool, we had people jumping (into the pool), even some kids, which was really cool,” he said.

“We would have loved to have swum from Rottnest, the guys here at Fremantle always give us such a warm welcome, but sometimes you encounter curve balls in life. and the team did such a great job to adapt.”

He said it was a privilege to have Josie by his side.

“It’s awesome to have Josie involved and going step by step, stroke by stroke, all the way,” he said.

“I think that’s a really strong message of the power of togetherness — when I’m feeling tired, I know someone else is going through it as well, and we can always go further when we work together as a team.”

Ms Page — crowned as one of the fastest swimmers to ever circumnavigate Manhattan Island — said Sunday’s challenge was one of her most rewarding sporting conquest’s yet.

“When I swam around Manhattan Island with Andy when he broke the world record last year, we were swimming for different reasons,” she said.

“This year, we’re swimming together for something truly special — raising awareness and much-needed funding for young people living with mental health issues.”

Mr Cook said the run was just a fraction of Page and Donaldson’s endurance endeavour, but said it was a stunning example of the spirit of Telethon.

“The run is the smallest part of this whole event, Josie and Andy just swim so far, and Dave and I will just accompany them on the run,” he said.

“These guys have made such a huge effort to raise money for Telethon, and it’s just another example of ‘incredible together’; these people coming together as a team to raise important money for such a great cause.”