Purpose & Mission
Head Above Water Australia Ltd was founded in response to the high rate of suicide on Sydney's Northern Beaches and the mental health challenges faced by many in the community.
Our mission is to build mental fitness from the grassroots up to help prevent mental illness and reduce suicide across Australia.
What we do
Head Above Water is a health promotion charity on a mission to build mentally fit communities by assisting to prevent or control mental illness and suicide. We manage and host fundraising events, including the Head Above Water 24 Hour Swim at Collaroy Rockpool, and the Altus Financial Bledisloe Cup Charity Dinner, along with some smaller grassroots community-based activities. Since 2019, we have raised over $650,000 for mental fitness programs across the Northern Beaches and throughout Australia.
At Head Above Water, we raise funds so that our partners can deliver mental health and suicide prevention programs out in the community. At this time, we have affiliations with Anchor Health, Tomorrow Man, Tomorrow Woman, Meditation HQ and Spoke International. As we grow and raise money, we may look to widen the scope of the organisations we work with. Our goal is to foster sustainable, mentally fit communities all along the Northern Beaches and beyond.
This plan outlines our future events which helps us meet our objectives and goals which will make a lasting and sustainable impact on the community.
Since 2019, we have raised over $650,000 for mental fitness and suicide prevention programs across the Northern Beaches and throughout Australia.
450+
programs & workshops funded in schools, sports and community groups by our accredited partners
14,500+
men, women & children taught how to make meaningful connections & strive for a healthier & more meaningful life
$760K
raised for mental fitness and suicide prevention programs on Sydney’s northern beaches & around Australia
Andrew Ward
Founder, Head Above Water
Andrew, or ‘Wardy’ as you’ll end up calling him, has lived on the Northern Beaches all his life. He’s a devoted husband and father to three amazing kids. He loves the ocean and you’ll find him in it just about every day whether at Collaroy Beach or in the Collaroy Rockpool, doing laps with the Collaroy Swimming Club.
In 2018, his life took an interesting turn when he found himself needing to sort out his mental health. He now considers himself a proud survivor and feels very lucky to have a supportive family and network of trusted friends. Many people who battle with mental health issues aren’t so fortunate. That’s the reason why he, along with a group of good mates, started Head Above Water.
Through Head Above Water, Wardy aims to build mental fitness on the Northern Beaches, as well as raise money for mental health services that can help save the lives of men, women and teenagers across the peninsula and across Australia.
In recognition of the positive effect that Head Above Water is having, founder Andrew Ward was the recipient of the 2023 Outstanding Community Award at the Northern Beaches Australia Day Awards. Much deserved recognition not only for Andrew, but for all volunteers, sponsors and partners that help make Head Above Water the success that it is.
When not in the water, or at work with Konica Minolta, his favourite pastime is to cook up a storm for his family and friends on a lazy Sunday afternoon.
