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
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.