With a long-held focus on healthy outdoor fun, UNCLE TOBYS is already the perfect partner for a day at the beach or the pool – and that partnership just got stronger with the launch of a new initiative, SwimKids Operation 10,000.

In Australia, drowning remains one of the leading causes of preventable death in children, and preliminary summer statistics indicate that this summer has been one of the worst on record for drowning deaths*. Statistics also show that one in five children will leave primary school this year without the skills to swim 50 metres or stay afloat for two minutes, even if their life depended on it. While many Australian children are learning these valuable water safety skills, thousands of children are missing out due to a lack of access or social and economic disadvantage.

UNCLE TOBYS wants to help change this statistic and its joint fundraising initiative with Royal Life Saving, SWIM KIDS Operation 10,000 aims to do just that.

The campaign aims to help raise funds to provide free swimming and water safety courses for 10,000 children who would otherwise miss out – children like Joseph, who thanks to the help of UNCLE TOBYS Ambassadors Olympian Cate Campbell and Paralympian Matt Cowdrey, has turned his fear of water into a love of swimming.

Joseph’s touching journey can be seen here and fundraising continues through http://royallifesavingonlinefundraising.org.au/event/Operation10000

FURTHER INFORMATION:

How will money raised in SWIM KIDS OPERATION 10,000 be spent?

Royal Life Saving Society – Australia will utilise the funds to provide FREE or subsidised swimming and water safety courses for less fortunate children.   As a guide:

• $15 will provide 1 swimming lesson for 1 child
• $45 will provide 3 swimming lessons for 1 child
• $75 will provide 5 swimming lessons for 1 child
• $150 will provide 1 term or swimming and water safety lessons for one child
• $300 will provide an initial training program for a Swim and Survive Instructor in a regional location

How will children be selected to receive the FREE swimming and water safety courses?

• Royal Life Saving Society – Australia has partnered with Barnardos Australia, who through their National network of family centres and partner charities identifies children aged 5 to 12 years to participate.
• The swimming and water safety courses are coordinated by Royal Life Saving and their Partners.
• Participants must be nominated by a registered charity, as this program does not accept individual nominations.
• Registered charities can send an expression of interest to swimandsurvive@rlssa.org.au