About Swim for Sick Kids
What is Swim for Sick Kids?
Swim for Sick Kids is a swimming challenge supporting Ronald McDonald House Sydney. Throughout November, you’ll set yourself a swimming goal, take on the challenge your way and raise funds to help support seriously ill and injured children and their families.
Whether you swim at your local pool, the beach or with your swim club, every lap and every dollar raised helps families stay close when they need each other most.
What does Ronald McDonald House Sydney do?
Ronald McDonald House Sydney provides a home away from home and vital support for families with seriously ill or injured children receiving treatment.
But it’s about much more than a place to stay. Families are supported with nourishing meals, education through the Ronald McDonald Learning Program, Hospital Family Rooms, practical support and a caring community of staff and volunteers.
Our goal is simple: to help families stay together and close to their child’s medical care during some of the toughest times of their lives.
How will the funds I raise make a difference?
Every dollar you raise through Swim for Sick Kids helps Ronald McDonald House Sydney continue supporting seriously ill and injured children and their families.
Your fundraising helps keep families close to their child, provides nourishing meals after long days at the hospital and helps create a welcoming and supportive home away from home.
Every lap you swim can make a difference for a family when they need it most.
Getting Started
How do I sign up?
Signing up is easy! Click here to register and follow the prompts to create your fundraising page. You’ll be able to choose your swimming goal, personalise your page and start fundraising straight away. Then, from 1 November, it’s time to dive in and start swimming!
Can I join after 1 November?
Absolutely! You can still register once the challenge has started. Simply sign up, choose a swimming goal that feels achievable for the time you have left and start swimming. Every lap counts, no matter when you join.
How do I create a team?
You can create a team as part of the registration process. Choose a team name and then invite your friends, family, colleagues or swim club to join you. Taking on Swim for Sick Kids as a team is a great way to keep each other motivated and make an even bigger impact together.
How do I join a team?
If someone has already created a team, you can search for their team during registration and choose to join it. Once you’re part of the team, you can still have your own fundraising page and swimming goal while contributing to your team’s overall fundraising efforts.
Can my workplace, friends, family or swim club take part?
Absolutely! The more the merrier. Create a team and invite your workplace, friends, family or swim club to take on Swim for Sick Kids with you. Everyone can choose a swimming goal that works for them, so you don’t all need to swim the same distance or at the same place.
I’ve signed up. What do I do now?
Great! Start by personalising your fundraising page with a photo and sharing why you’re taking part. Then share your page with friends, family and colleagues and ask them to support your challenge.
When November begins, start swimming towards your goal and keep your fundraising page updated with your progress. Don’t forget to share your milestones along the way – it’s a great way to keep your supporters involved and encourage more donations.
What is in the Welcome Pack?
Your welcome pack contains your ver own Swim for Sick Kids Swim Cap, a calendar so you can track your KM's and a welcome letter.
Welcome packs will be sent out from 14th October 2026.
Welcome packs are limited and on a first come first serve basis.
Further incentive information can be found here.
The Swimming Challenge
What swimming distance can I choose?
It’s up to you. Once you have chosen your goal distance, break it down into how far you think you can swim per session and that will give you an idea of how often you need to swim.
As a guide to reach your goal we suggest
Beginner: 2 laps in a 50m pool per day
Intermediate: 10 laps in a 50m pool per day
Advanced: 24 laps in a 50m pool per day
Feel free to start with shorter distances and build them up as the month goes on and you become more confident.
Remember that whilst this is a challenge it should be fun! Get a group together to help keep you motivated throughout the month. Join the Facebook group and share your progress with others.
Where can I take part in Swim for Sick Kids?
Wherever works for you!
You can complete your Swim for Sick Kids challenge at your local pool, at the beach, in the ocean, in a lake or even in your backyard pool.
Wherever you choose to swim, always swim within your ability, follow local safety advice and, when swimming at the beach, stay between the flags.
Do I need to be an experienced swimmer?
Not at all. Swim for Sick Kids is for swimmers of different abilities.
Choose a distance and pace that works for you. If you’re new to swimming or would like some support before getting started, we recommend speaking with a qualified swimming professional or your local swim club.
Always swim within your capabilities and make your health and safety your priority.
Do I need to swim every day?
That’s completely up to you.
You can swim every day, a few times a week or complete longer sessions throughout November. Choose a routine that works for you and your chosen distance.
The most important thing is to enjoy the challenge and swim safely.
How do I track my swimming progress?
Log in to your Swim for Sick Kids account throughout November to keep your swimming progress up to date.
Recording your kilometres also lets your supporters follow your challenge and see you getting closer to your goal.
What happens if I don’t reach my swimming goal?
Don’t worry! Swim for Sick Kids is about challenging yourself and supporting sick and injured children and their families.
Every lap you complete and every dollar you raise makes a difference, so be proud of whatever you achieve.
Fundraising
Is there a minimum fundraising target?
No. There is no compulsory fundraising amount.
We encourage everyone taking part to set themselves a fundraising goal, but every donation makes a difference. Choose a target that feels achievable and see how far your supporters can help you go.
How do I edit my fundraising page?
Log in to your Swim for Sick Kids account and select Edit My Page.
You can personalise your page, tell people why you’re taking part and add updates throughout November so your supporters can follow your progress.
How do I ask for donations?
Start by telling people why you’re taking on Swim for Sick Kids and what the challenge means to you. Then share your fundraising page with friends, family, colleagues and your wider network.
Don’t be afraid to ask more than once! Share updates as you clock up your kilometres, celebrate milestones and remind people how close you are to your goal.
A great place to start is by making a donation to your own page. It shows your commitment and gives others an idea of how much they might like to give.
How do I share my fundraising page and progress?
Once you’re logged in, select Get Support to share your fundraising page on social media or send it directly to your contacts.
Keep sharing updates throughout November. Celebrate your kilometres, fundraising milestones and the people supporting you along the way.
Use #SwimforSickKids and tag Ronald McDonald House Sydney so we can follow your journey too.
How are donations from my fundraising page processed?
All donations made through your online fundraising page automatically come to Ronald McDonald House Sydney, so you don’t need to transfer anything yourself.
If you receive a cash or offline donation, you can make an online donation on the person’s behalf or contact our team for assistance.
Donations
Are donations to Swim for Sick Kids tax deductible?
Donors will receive a receipt by email after making their donation.
How do I donate to a participant or team?
If they’ve shared their fundraising page with you, simply follow their link and make your donation.
You can also select Donate on the Swim for Sick Kids website and search for the participant or team you’d like to support.
When do I need to have all my donations submitted by?
Online donations are automatically received by Ronald McDonald House Sydney.
If you’ve collected cash or offline donations, please make sure they’re submitted after the challenge so they can be included in your fundraising total.
The last day to get all your donations in is Friday 11 December 2026.
Other Questions
Swimming isn’t for me. Can I still support Ronald McDonald House Sydney?
You can donate to someone taking part in Swim for Sick Kids, support a team or get involved with Ronald McDonald House Sydney in another way.
There are plenty of opportunities throughout the year to donate, fundraise, volunteer or support families in our community.
Can I support Ronald McDonald House Sydney without making a donation?
Yes. Our incredible community of volunteers plays an important role in helping us support families.
There are a range of volunteering opportunities available across Ronald McDonald House Sydney and our Programs.
I have another question. Who can I contact?
We’d love to help.
Email our team at supporting.sydney@rmhc.org.au and one of our friendly team members will be in touch.
Still have questions?
We’re here to help! If you can’t find the answer you’re looking for, get in touch with the Ronald McDonald House Sydney team and we’ll be happy to help you with your Swim for Sick Kids challenge.
Get in touch with us at support.sydney@ronaldmcdonaldhouse.org.au
We can’t wait to see you make a splash this November!
