36-year-old Canberra lawyer Katie Binstock has always had an affinity for the water.

Although not always well acted upon.

Ms Binstock recalls that once, as a toddler, when her mum wouldn’t let her jump from the Sydney Harbour Bridge into the water below, she threw a mighty tantrum.

During another family event, and again to the horror of her mum, this same toddler thought it was great fun to “jump into the pool repeatedly so that the ‘big kids’ could fish me out”, says Ms Binstock.

This week, however, and with the support of her firm at Thomson Geer, Ms Binstock will put her fascination with the water to much safer and more constructive use.

From Monday 10 November to Friday 14 November, Ms Binstock will swim instead of walk in the Menslink Great Walk, where participants commit to raising at least $10,000 each by covering up to 30 kilometres per day along the Canberra Centenary Trail.

Ms Binstock is one of almost 30 individuals this year, who will spend the week raising money for Menslink.

Her intention is to exceed the $13,000 she raised last year and reach $20,000. She is already halfway there.

And why swimming instead of walking?

“I just thought that if someone swam it, it might attract a bit more attention for Menslink,” says Ms Binstock.

Ms Binstock is quick to note the efforts of the walkers, however.

“I remember thinking last year that it would be easier to swim it!”

People have also asked why Menslinkand not an organisation that supports women?

“I have a younger brother, and I’ve lost at least one male friend to suicide. I’ve also had others try.

“ I just think that if there was an intervention earlier, specifically in the form of counselling and mentoring, things might’ve been a bit different”, she says.

A Canberra-based organisation, Menslink has been supporting young men in the Canberra region for over twenty years through free counselling, volunteer mentoring, and education programs.

Ms Binstock also made the point that when we look after men, we are also looking after women and families.

“Last year, some mothers came up to the group to thank us for giving up our time to walk.

“They told us how life-changing the support has been for them and their families”, she says.

This is why I am joining in again.

You can support Ms Binstock’s swim here, and head to the Menslink Great Walk page for further information at menslinkgreatwalk.com.au