Early Friday morning, Australian time, Brenda successfully completed her third attempt at the North Channel.
It is a 34.5km stretch of open ocean notorious for its brutal conditions, icy temperatures, and jellyfish-infested waters.
Brenda took on the challenge under the banner of Channel 4 Change, her initiative aimed at raising awareness and funds for mental health in the Southern Riverina.
Every stroke she took was supporting the Deniliquin Mental Health Awareness Group, and her goal to raise $15,000 to fund mental health first aid training for 50 local adults by 2026.
In a video posted to Facebook after the swim, Brenda shared the highs and physical toll of the journey.
She had entered the water at 3am Northern Ireland time alongside German swimmer Andreas Waschburger, who not only completed the crossing but shattered the previous world record by a full hour.
“I guess I was a little nervous heading into the swim,” Brenda confessed.
“I was very aware of all the things that could go wrong - the temperature of the water, the fact that the lions' mane were out there, and the fact that I had to start in the dark.”
Brenda collided with three of the stinging jellyfish during the swim, enduring sharp pain but refusing to let it derail her mission.
With just 70m to go, Brenda was joined in the water by her mother and sister, who swam alongside her to the finish.
It was a symbolic and deeply personal end to a journey that has spanned years, surgeries, setbacks, and two previous attempts that ended in sickness and hypothermia.
Brenda was awarded a commemorative patch for completing the swim, which she’s eager to sew onto her dry robe as a permanent reminder of the challenge she overcame.
At the time of going to print yesterday, Brenda has raised just over $9,500 of her $15,000 goal.
The funds will go toward mental health first aid training, youth-focused events, and resources to help Deniliquin residents recognise and respond to signs of mental distress.
You can still donate by going to justgiving.com/campaign/northchannel4change. Learn more at https://www.denimentalhealth.org.au/channel4change.
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