Bev Norman supporting her daughter Brenda with the previous Channel 4 Change flag.
By the end of this month, Deniliquin’s own Brenda Norman will make her third attempt to take on one of the world’s most formidable endurance challenges.
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She leaves Deniliquin on August 23 to brave the North Channel swim, a 34.5km stretch of frigid ocean between Ireland and Scotland.
As she gears up for this epic journey, the community is coming together this weekend to give her a heartfelt send-off under the banner of Channel 4 Change.
Locals are invited to join the celebrations in the Deniliquin CBD tomorrow, at the Cressy St Kiosk, between 9.30am and 11.30am.
The event will feature a chance to sign Brenda’s Channel 4 Change flag with a personal message, pick up a cap or stubby holder in exchange for a donation and connect with Deni Mental Health Awareness Group, who will be on site with free resources and giveaways.
Ms Norman will be in attendance, and is happy to speak with anyone about her efforts.
“I’m ready to get in there and have a crack,” she said.
“It gets to the stage where you feel you’ve done as much preparation as possible and just want to give it a go.”
Ms Norman’s swim is more than a test of endurance, it’s a mission to raise funds for mental health and wellbeing initiatives supporting Deniliquin and surrounding areas.
“There are no guarantees that this swim will be successful, if I don’t find Scotland, does that make my swim a failure?
Brenda Norman has been sharing videos to her Channel 4 Change Facebook page during her ice bath sessions.
“Too often people make life choices, or in fact don’t chase their dreams because they fear failure.
“I view failure, however, as me not being prepared to reattempt this swim.”
Through Channel 4 Change, Ms Norman aims to raise $15,000 for Deni MHAG, to fund Mental Health First Aid training for 50 local adults by 2026.
The primary aim is to help build a community that can recognise and respond to mental health challenges.
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