Newfoundland swimmer aims to raise mental health awareness on the Mira River in Cape Breton
Kimberley Davis has been going for a lot of dips in Cape Breton's Mira River these days.
The St. John’s, N.L. resident is in Nova Scotia caring for her mom, but she hasn't forgotten a cause near and dear to her heart in Newfoundland.
Davis is training for Newfoundland's Tickle Swim for Mental Health, a fundraising event she has participated in for the past seven years. But this year will be different.
"I will be swimming my five-kilometre swim from right here, in beautiful Mira River in Cape Breton”, the longtime swimmer and triathlete told CTV Atlantic.
The annual Tickle Swim runs between Portugal Cove and Bell Island in Newfoundland. It's a fundraiser for the Canadian Mental Health Association that typically draws more than 20 swimmers. Davis has participated since the inaugural event.
"It's mostly about raising awareness about how exercise and physical activity - be that swimming, walking, jogging, running, biking - can indeed help to increase your mental health capacity and keep you healthy," Davis explains.
Originally from Cape Breton, the 56-year-old has been back in Nova Scotia for the past four months helping care for her nearly 90-year-old mother, who is recovering from a stroke.
Davis has been able to swim at a friend's cottage on the Mira while working remotely and being her mom's primary caregiver.
"Knowing that I grew up swimming here and that I could still participate in this great mental health awareness event from Cape Breton., I just decided that I could take it on from here," Davis said.
Longtime friend Diane MacDonald hopes that once Cape Bretoners become aware of Davis's cause, they might help her towards her fundraising goal of $1,500, which she has managed to reach each year.
"That's the main reason for this. Everyone should be behind her cause for mental health," MacDonald says.
Participating in the swim remotely means that Davis's mother might be able to watch.
"It's nice for her to be able to see something that I've been doing for a number of years that means something to me," Davis said.
Davis is also a breast cancer survivor and says her message is that physical health and mental well-being go hand-in-hand.
"Get out - walk, bike, swim, hike - it really does make a big difference to your mental health," she says.
Davis’s swim is planned for Saturday, July 31, finishing at Albert Bridge.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
AstraZeneca says it will withdraw COVID-19 vaccine globally as demand dips
AstraZeneca said on Tuesday it had initiated the worldwide withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccine due to a 'surplus of available updated vaccines' since the pandemic.
'Summer of discontent': Federal unions vow to fight new 3-day a week office mandate
Federal unions are launching legal challenges and encouraging public sector workers to file "tens of thousands" of grievances over the new mandate requiring federal workers to return to the office at least three days a week in the fall.
Toronto police seek suspect vehicle after security guard shot outside Drake's mansion
Toronto police are seeking help from the public as they continue to investigate a shooting that seriously injured a security guard outside rapper Drake's mansion.
'Ozempic babies': Reports of surprise pregnancies raise new questions about weight loss drugs
Numerous women have shared stories of 'Ozempic babies' on social media. But the joy some experience in discovering pregnancies may come with anxiety about the unknowns.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Seafood, eat food: Calgary Stampede releases Midway menu
The Calgary Stampede has released its menu of sweet, salty and spicy treats available on the Midway for the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they've changed their name
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.