Jade Child will take cold showers throughout June, do a lap of Cataract Gorge and complete a half marathon while pushing a wheelbarrow to raise money for Loaves and Fishes Tasmania.
The Launceston small business owner aims to raise $5000 towards Loaves and Fishes’ winter meals appeal through the triple challenge.
Other fundraisers will be marking the shortest day of June by taking a bracing dip at Greens Beach on June 19 or Kingston Beach on June 25 as part of Loaves and Fishes’ Winter Solstice Splash.
Loaves and Fishes aims to raise $50,000 from the swims, equivalent to 100,000 hot meals for Tasmanians doing it tough.
Deputy Premier Michael Ferguson and MP Janie Finlay have already signed up again for the Greens Beach swim after taking part in 2021.
Jade Child, 36, has been raising money for Loaves and Fishes through an annual cold water swim at Cataract Gorge since discovering the food relief charity a few years ago.
“I love that it’s a local charity helping people living close to me in and around Launceston as well as throughout the state,” he said.
“I feel a close connection to Loaves and Fishes ever since I found out about them.
“What they do is practical and meaningful for struggling families.”
Jade is a veteran of endurance events, having set a Guinness world record in 2012 after spending 25 hours at the crease and facing 15,701 cricket balls in an epic knock in the nets.
The half marathon in June during the Launceston Running Festival is a warm-up fundraiser for the 140km Great Wheelbarrow Race in May 2023 from Mareeba to Chilagoe in North Queensland.
“I will be setting a much bigger fundraising goal for Loaves and Fishes from that event,” he said.
It will also be a much larger mountain to climb with a trusty standard Kelso wheelbarrow, with one continuously uphill 20km section.
Winter is the time when many Tasmanians have to choose between heating and eating.
Solstice Splashers have to raise a minimum of $50 for the privilege of taking a morning dip at Greens Beach or Kingston Beach. REGISTER HERE
Last year, two entrants, including Michael Ferguson, raised more than $5000 each to help us fight hunger.
Plucka Duck and Bananas in Pyjamas took a dip, while a team of women sewed neck-to-knee costumes in a nod to the 1920s.
By Paul O’Rourke
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