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    This summer, you can give the gift of a lifetime by donating just $20

    Many families that visit the Y’s facilities simply cannot afford to put their children through swimming lessons.

    In the past three years, we have raised over $15,000, allowing over 750 children to learn lifesaving water skills. 

    We need your support today to help educate and save lives in the community.

    Did you know at least 40% of children leave primary school without knowing how to swim? It’s more important now than ever to ensure children feel safe and confident around the water this summer. 

    Thanks to the generosity of Speedo, every donation will be matched. That means that your $20 will be doubled, providing not just one but two swimming lessons to a child in need. 

    Let’s join together and support children who can’t afford swimming lessons. 

    Holiday Giving Appeal ends Tuesday 31 December 2024.

    Donate today

    Speedo x YMCA colouring-in competition

    With summer right around the corner, we’re teaming up with Speedo for a holiday-themed Colouring-In Competition! 

    Create your own Christmas Cap using a maxium of four colours in the design, plus one base colour of your choice. 

    Thanks to Speedo, the winning cap will be produced and available to buy on the Y Services website – so you could see your design come to life! The lucky winner will also receive some caps as a thank you for their creative contribution.

    To enter, simply download the colouring-in sheet and submit your design to your local YMCA Recreation Centre or via email with a donation fee of $2.00 (see the 'How to submit your design' steps below).

    All funds raised will support the Y's Holiday Giving Appeal, helping more children access swimming lessons.

    Get your entries in by Friday 20 December 2024 to go in the draw to win!

    Download colouring-in sheet

    How to submit your design

    Head to your local YMCA Recreation Centre to submit your design at reception ($2.00 per colouring-in sheet).

    Alternatively, you can submit online.

    1. Make a $2.00 donation and keep the receipt of donation.
    2. Email fundraising.vic@ymca.org.au and attach your receipt of donation and colouring-in sheet submission. 

    Any colouring sheets submitted without a $2.00 donation receipt attached will not meet entry requirements and therefore will not go in the draw. 

    The Speedo X YMCA colouring-in competition ends on Monday 20 December 2024. All entries must be submitted by this date. 

    The lucky winner will be announced in January. Keep an eye on our Instagram for updates!

    • Why are swimming lessons important?

      In a survey on behalf of Royal Life Saving, parents of children who attended swimming lessons between 2019 and 2021 reported that pool closures had a negative impact on their children's swimming skills. 55% reported a decline in their child's swimming skills overall and 42% reported a decline in the distance that their child could swim continuously. These findings demonstrate how essential swimming lessons are.

      Children who take part in swimming lessons not only reach physical milestones faster but also perform better in literacy, numeracy, oral expression and visual-motor skills compared to children who don't take part in swimming lessons.
    • Swimming lessons at the Y

      The Y teaches over 25,000 children to swim every week.

      10,000 children attend our school swimming and water safety programs annually.

      A recent Life Saving Victoria study highlighted that the Y’s swimming curriculum outcomes demonstrated a significant increase in overall water safety knowledge for all students.

      “The findings highlight the effectiveness and comprehensiveness of the curriculum YMCA delivers to their swimming lesson participants, and demonstrates the extent to which they are committed to drowning prevention initiatives and research driven program development.” – Dr Bernadette Matthews, Life Saving Victoria Principle Research Associate.
    • The Y's charitable work - YMCA Open Doors’ impact on swimming lessons

      The Y's access program, YMCA Open Doors, has funded over $157,000 worth of swimming lessons since 2019.

      That's over 7,850 swimming lessons for children experiencing disadvantage.
    • How your money helps

      Just $20 can fund one swimming lesson for one child.

      You can donate any amount you like. We also have donation packs available that allow you to donate in multiples of $20 to support a child through their swim journey.

      You could save a life just by doing so. We appreciate your generosity!
    • Proudly supported by Speedo

      Speedo, the world's leading swimwear brand, is passionate about life in and around the water. From learn to swim through to swimming for fitness, Speedo's mission is to inspire people to enjoy the healthy activity of swimming.

      Which is why this year, you can double your impact and help even more young people gain access to YMCA Swimming Lessons.

      The first $4,000 of donations will be matched thanks to the generosity of Speedo.