FOR the second year in a row, local swimmer Matilda Andrews has completed Youth Live4Life’s annual Lap It Up charity program, swimming 1500 laps for youth mental health.

Andrews, who last year generated a remarkable $1009 in donations for the cause, has gotten even better this year with donations totalling up to $1080.

Andrews said the challenge was a bit tougher than last year’s, in which she swum 1000 laps in 10 days, whereas this year she did 1500 laps across 15 days.

“I knew it was happening again because mum (Kristy) said she saw it pop up and asked me if I wanted to do it again,” Andrews said.

“I wanted to push myself with the goal of 1500 laps, and really it was all just to raise awareness for mental health.

“It’s good that I can combine my passion for swimming with a cause that I care a lot about.

“The funds raised will go to towards youth mental health and suicide prevention in regional communities throughout Australia.”

Being a young person in this day and age, Andrews said she is acutely aware of the struggles her generation is facing with mental health.

“I personally know people who have struggled to speak up and let others know how they’re doing, it can be really hard for us to do,” she said.

“This is who the charity is for, people who don’t yet have the confidence to find help they need.”

Andrews said that once again more than doubling her donation goal of $500 was a testament to how much the community cares about this issue, although she admitted she was surprised about the breadth of people who were willing to open up their wallets.

“Friends, family and teachers and even the crossing lady at school all made donations, as well as my swim club teammates,” she said.

“When we reached the goal and then doubled it, I was just very thankful that people had wanted to show their support.”

Andrews said she’ll “probably” do the challenge again next year and is excited to see if they up it by another five days so she can continue to push herself.