Griffith lawyer organises children’s charity concert ahead of swim across the English Channel

A Griffith lawyer who has raised more than $30,000 for a children’s charity over the past five years will swim the length of the English Channel to France next year.

Jodie Millar, 44, is also organising a concert in Griffith on 6 November to continue her fundraising efforts.

“I’ve been involved with Starlight Children’s Foundation since 2019,” she said.

“I use my marathon swimming as a platform to promote the foundation and raise money through all my swims.

“It’s an important cause, because when I was growing up in Griffith, I knew of two children who benefited directly from Starlight when undergoing treatment for serious illnesses. So it has a special place in my heart – I want to do something for community and those experiencing health challenges.”

After completing her education, Ms Millar moved to Sydney and worked as a police officer for 24 years. She came back to Griffith four years ago, when she embarked on a new career as a lawyer and also reignited a childhood passion.

“I was a competitive pool swimmer when growing up in Griffith, but I didn’t swim at all from age 17 to 40. Then I took it up to get fit again and suddenly got hooked on marathon swimming,” she said.

“Every year, I participate in the Starlight Super Swim, which is a nationwide fundraising event where you nominate how many kilometres you swim, you have a website and people sponsor you. It raises $3 million a year for the foundation.

“I’ve raised over $30,000 since February 2020.”

She’ll now embark on her greatest ever challenge, swimming from Dover in England to the north coast of France, across the stretch of the Atlantic Ocean known as the English Channel.

“It’s a 33-km swim in a straight line, but because of the tide and depending on the weather, I may have to swim up to 50 km. I’m very determined and I won’t stop until I get my feet on the sand in France,” she said.

“It’s an organised event through the Channel Swimming Association; I have an escort boat that accompanies me and makes sure I’m getting fed every half an hour. My dad Charlie will be on the boat; he’s my biggest supporter. My mum gets seasick, so she’ll be cheering from the hotel room.

“I have a couple more swims to train for the English Channel. The biggest one is in January in Tasmania, a 34-km swim along the River Derwent. I’m also going to Canberra to do a training swim in Lake Burley Griffin before taking on the English Channel swim in July next year.”

In the meantime, she’ll keep raising money for children, including via a concert at the Yoogali Club on 6 November.

“I’ve hired Joe Piastrino – he does old-school rock and roll, like Elvis, Buddy Holly and Roy Orbison. He was once runner-up at the Parkes Elvis Festival.

“Tickets are $50 per person; it includes a two-hour show, nibbles and supper. Drinks can be purchased from the bar and there are prizes available on the night.

“You can buy tickets at Griffith pool, using the QR code on my posters or at Bunnings this Saturday (26 October) between 10 am and 12 pm.”

The money raised on the night will go to Riverina children who are seriously ill to grant them wishes.

“I’d like to thank my main sponsor, the nationwide company Generator Power, which supplies and services generators across the country. They helped me put on this event,” she said.

Ms Millar hopes she can inspire children and adults by continuing both her charity work and marathon swims.

“I’m turning 45 in December so I’m proof that age is no barrier to completing major challenges.”

Tickets for the show can be purchased here.