- A swimming talent took his own life at the age of 15
- Donate here: Returns to Lachie Initiative
- For confidential support, contact Lifeline 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636
<!–
<!–
<!–
<!–
<!–
<!–
The family and friends of a teenager who tragically took his own life are completing a charity event in his honour.
Lachlan Ricchini died on February 4 this year at the age of 15, in news that shook Geelong’s swimming community.
The Ricchini family is well known throughout the Victorian swimming community, with Lachlan being a prodigious talent, while his brother Cameron was club captain at Geelong.
The town’s swimming club will host the first annual ‘Laps for Lachie’ at the Kardinia Aquatic Center from 10.30am this Sunday, which is an extension of the Laps for Life initiative that Lachlan took part in last year.
The event seeks to raise awareness and help prevent youth suicide.
A talented teenage Geelong swimmer tragically took his own life this month
Geelong swimming community raising funds in honor of Lachlan Ricchini
The ‘Laps for Lachie’ initiative aims to raise $40,000 and the community is on track to complete that goal, having already generated more than $38,000.
Geelong Swimming Club president Tim Woods said Lachlan’s death had a huge impact on the community.
“It has a huge impact,” he told the Geelong Advertiser.
“Swimming may be a relatively big sport but it is still a subset of the total community and the threads of people’s lives weave their way through us and around us all and now the loss of Lachie is felt very deeply throughout the community, including the swimming community.
‘He loved swimming and there is no better way to honor and remember him properly than with a swimming activity.
‘That’s why the community is coming together to do that, and that’s why there has been so much anguish and heartfelt pain. And a huge effort is also being made to raise much-needed money to prevent youth suicide.’
Lachie loved to wear bright clothes and guests at her funeral wore colorful clothing.
Colorful swimming caps can also be purchased at the event, where admission is free.
For confidential support, contact Lifeline 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636