Brenda Norman is about to attempt one of the hardest open water swims in the world.

And she’s doing it to support the mental health of young people in Deniliquin.

The North Channel, a 34.5km stretch of freezing ocean between Ireland and Scotland, is infamous among marathon swimmers. Powerful currents, ice-cold water, and swarms of jellyfish make it one of the most brutal and unpredictable swims on the planet.

Brenda knows this all too well. In 2023, she attempted the crossing twice. One attempt was cut short by extreme sea sickness. The second ended just 4km from the finish line, when she was pulled from the water with hypothermia.

Since then, Brenda has undergone wrist reconstruction surgery, pushed through ongoing shoulder and elbow issues, and completely rebuilt her training and technique. Now she’s heading back, more determined than ever — not just to finish the swim, but to make it count.

She’s swimming for something bigger than herself.

Brenda is the founder of Channel 4 Change, a grassroots initiative that raises funds to support youth mental health and wellbeing in Deniliquin and the wider Southern Riverina.

Through Channel 4 Change, Brenda has already raised tens of thousands of dollars for local mental health training and youth-focused programs.

Her efforts have helped train hundreds of adults in Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) — a powerful, evidence-based course that teaches people how to recognise the signs of mental health struggles, offer support, and connect someone to help.

Now, she’s aiming to raise $15,000 to train 50 more adults in MHFA by the end of 2026.

That’s 50 more parents, teachers, coaches, and community members who will know how to step in when a young person is struggling.

Because in Deniliquin — just like the rest of Australia — one in five adults experience a mental illness each year. For young people aged 11 to 17, it’s closer to two in five. Suicide remains one of the leading causes of death for young Australians.

But we can change that. Mental Health First Aid is a proven way to reduce stigma, increase early help-seeking, and create a safer, more connected community.

With your help, we can ensure that at least one in five adults in our region are trained to help.

Every dollar raised through this campaign will go towards:

- Free MHFA training for local adults

- Youth-specific mental health resources

- A small grants program supporting school-based wellbeing projects

- Promoting clear, local pathways to help for young people

Brenda’s swim window is between 29 August and 5 September 2025 — and while the swim itself may take just one day, the ripple effects could last a lifetime.

Help her turn every stroke into something powerful.

Donate today. Support the swim. Support our young people. Be part of the change.