Cardiomyopathy and Parkinson's changed that, and I thought, what can I do now?

Then I had a light-bulb moment.

While I can't swim the way I used to, I can challenge myself in a new way, embrace physical challenges and push my capabilities. So the Winter Swim Challenge was born.

For 30 days straight throughout winter, I went for a bracing ocean swim and raised $16,000.

In 2021, my goal was to raise $30,000 by asking all New Zealanders to join in. The Winter Swim Challenge is now Kenzie’s Gift flagship fundraising campaign – read more about it on the Winter Swim Challenge website.

In 2020, I launched my own Winter Swim Challenge with the aims of raising funds for Kenzie’s Gift. Why winter swimming?

Well, before my heart started to fail and my diagnosis of Parkinson's, I embarked on many sporting challenges to fundraise, including marathons, ocean swims, adventure races. I enjoyed supporting others while challenging myself and it was good to feel alive.