A GROUP of friends have joined forces to thrash laps at Beechworth swimming pool in an effort to raise funds for youth mental health awareness.

Co-organiser and local resident Martin Prebble said the event ‘Laps for Life’ runs throughout March, coordinated by online mental health service ‘Reachout’.

Mr Prebble said Beechworth’s Lisa O’Connor had sparked the local effort a few years ago.

“There’s seven in our team including Wooragee tennis club members and we’re raising money to help youth in Australia,” he said.

“Our team ‘Thrashin for Fashion’ is swimming for a purpose and we have a target of $1000 that we’re on track to achieve and hopefully will be higher.”

Mr Prebble said the team will swim 140km over the month with team members each swimming 20km.

He said mental health awareness is a discussion for all as it helps everyone.

“The Beechworth pool is an amazing community asset and is made even more special by the lifeguards who create an amazing atmosphere and encourage us to swim hard even at 6am,” he said.

Mr Prebble said the team of morning swimmers is spurred along by lifeguards Ros Clark, Elizabeth Behrendt, Jess Lockwood and the centre manager Tony Blaydon.

Statistics cited by Reachout indicate more than one in three young people in Australia is experiencing a mental health difficulty while more than one million are not accessing professional support.

Statistics also indicate suicide remains the leading cause of death for young people around the nation.

Funds raised for 'Laps for Life’ help prevent youth suicide and help young people feel better about today and the future.

For more information to help the team meet its target and help support young people visit www.lapsforlife.com.au/fundraisers/martinprebble/laps-for-life.