Monash Children's Hospital

Just over a year ago our world changed as we welcomed our beautiful daughter Eloise into the world. 

At ten days old Eloise was diagnosed with Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI), a rare genetic condition known as brittle bone disease. Like others with OI, Eloise’s bones break easily and frequently. Her diagnosis was made from x-rays showing almost all of her bones were fractured.

A year on Eloise is thriving from the love and support of her parents, big brother, family, friends, and a group of incredible medical and allied health professionals. She inspires us each and every day and we’re so grateful she is in our tribe.

Monash Children’s Hospital has become a constant in our lives. Over the journey we have met and been looked after by very special nurses and doctors who have all taken a personal interest in our little girl. We are forever grateful for the support we have received and owe a lot to the people who have helped us.  

With the support of Chain Reaction, we want to give back to Monash Children's Hospital to show our appreciation and help other families like us. The resilience Eloise continues to show has inspired Zac, Joe and I to do something less than 70 people have completed for this cause. 

Thank you for your support!

Thank You To My Donors

Richard Tucker

$2k

Kordamentha

James Wagg Art Donation

$1.5k

Scott Stavretis

What a great cause, as a family that has Osteogenesis Imperfecta I know how important the hospitals can be. Wishing you all the best for the swim and you, Eloise and your whole family all the best,

$1.02k

Andrew Malarkey

A great cause and touched by your personal story. Looks like you are going to make your target! All the best.

$1.02k

Cale Bennett

Fantastic effort James!

$1.02k

The Millingtons

Good luck Waggs and Zac - it is an impressive challenge to set yourselves!

$1.02k

Anya

Wishing you, Zac, and Eloise the very best of luck with the swim, and beyond! Anya & Albert 😉😆

$755

Henriette Rothschild

Awesome, courageous effort James for a fantastic cause. Keep the updates going and all the best with the training.

$750

Chris & Laura Larkins

Incredible Jimbo!!

$554

Hooper

James - wishing you all the best on your swim. Such a worthwhile cause - thank you for raising awareness for all the great work the Monash folks do!

$520

Berrick Wilson

What a truly inspirational story James. Your resilience & commitment in these challenging times is awesome and Eloise will be so proud of her amazing Dad. Wish you all the best for this massive challenge, well done and thank you!

$520

Hylton Mackley

Well done guys

$520

Tom Davis

Thought I might have convinced you to ride a bike, but this feels (and sounds) a lot harder. Good luck - stay afloat.

$520

Braden Kempthorne

Inspiring doesn't even do it justice mate. Plus what legends are Zac and Joe getting in that ice-water alongside you - true friendship. Sending love to you and the fam from the top of Aus... where people put on jerseys if it drops below 30c.

$520

Lara Wiggins

Inspirational Wagg! What an amazing thing you and Zac are doing. All the very best to you and your family xxx

$520

Jason Bignell

So impressive! Swim well mate and please give my best wishes to Eloise ! Such a fantastic cause.

$520

Rick & Ro Foley

All the best swim James. Champion Family.

$520

Genny Pashula

Go James and Zac, what a great cause supporting Eloise and Monash Children’s Hospital x

$520

Jacinta And James Mcnena

James,- what an inspiration you are! We are so proud of you and your beautiful family. We are cheering you on - fingers crossed for good weather

$520

Hylton Mackley

Good luck raising the money

$520

Suzanne Wauchope

James & Zac, an extraordinary challenge you have both taken on for such a worthy cause - best of luck with training and I wish you every success on the swim.

$520

Antony

Wishing you and Zac every success in the swim and your efforts to support Monash Children's Hospital. Antony and Nicole

$520

Tim & Jill

What an incredible event you have selected to celebrate Eloise - James and Zac you can do it 👍

$520

Leanne And Glenn Chesser

What an amazing thing you are doing to support Eloise and other families. Best of luck to the Team!

$520

Hylton Mackley

Congratulations once again James

$520

Morgan Forrest

So impressed with your drive and commitment Waggs- thinking of you and Eloise (and maybe Zac a little bit) as you brave the chill. Go well.

$516.36

Jez & Rosie

Awesome work Wagg!

$501

Dale Fisher

🦄

$500

Christina Ruiz

Couldn't think of a better reason to swim across the boy, a phenomenal cause ♥ good luck!

$500

Lewis Mcmenamin

Get it mate!

$500

Paul And Cass

Very brave of you donning the speedos in the middle of winter! Great work mate, for an amazing cause!

$420

Matthew Fleming

what sharks

$369.25

Michael And Ebony Darvell

$369.25

Ben Mahler

A heroic effort for a heroic cause. Good luck and hope you smash it!

$350

Glen Family

This is pure insanity but my god how proud of you we all are mate, what an incredible effort. We are all behind you and little Eloise would be so proud of her superhero dad. Love Jim, Cara, Archie and Cooper xx

$316.50

Anthony, Jess, Louis, Ruby And James Torre

Back 2 back

$316.50

Paul Hewson

This is insane, legendary and inspirational all at the same time. You are a total boss. Will be watching on for every stroke.

$300

Nick Griffin

Awesome!!!

$263.75

Gideon

$263.75

Clare & Chris Stokes

Extremely proud of you for doing this and putting your story out there. You and Juls are the most loving and devoted parents of Eloise and Lachie and are truly inspirational. Well done and good luck braving the chill!

$263.75

Eliza White

Good luck James!! We’ll all be cheering for you xxxxx

$263.75

Tony Massaro

Best of luck with the swimming adventure Waggs!

$263.75

Sebastian Hams

Best of luck mate

$263.75

Moultons

Good luck Wagg - inspirational stuff!

$263.75

Chris Martin

What a fantastic cause and best wishes from the Martin family.

$263.75

Mick Calder

Amazing effort mate, and Zac & Joe too ! See you at the Lonsdale Pier.

$263.75

Famille Gauvan

We are very proud of you mate! What a beautiful cause! Eloise and Lachie are so lucky to have you as role model. LET'S GOOO!!!! Sarah, Arsene, Noah & Norman!

$259.38

Chris Russell

You’ve got this, gents!

$259.38

Paul Calabro

Go Waggy!

$259.38

Craig And Trudi Shepard

$255

Thomas Grigg

Very impressive and a great cause.

$251

Brian Wood

Inspirational! All the best

$251

David Osborne

All the very best Wagg, inspirational!

$250

Mary Barnett

Inspiring effort to give back. Good luck with the training and the event

$250

Dionne Higgins

You couldn't get a cause closer to home than this. Incredible effort James and Zac. Sending my best to you both and Eloise.

$250

Scott & Bonnie Langdon

All the very best!

$250

Michael Korda

$250

Daniel Mcculloch

Give 'em hell, Jim.

$250

Nunzio Tartaglia

Best of luck mate! Very inspirational!

$211

Gabrial Dickson

Best of luck with the swim Waggs, Zac and Joe. Inspiring effort for a wonderful cause. And Go Eloise, keep thriving little lady!!

$211

Jack Townley

Good luck mate!

$211

Brigitte Doupe

Good luck with the swim Wagg, beautiful thing you are doing for your little girl.

$211

Helen Kemp

Best of luck Waggs! Truly inspiring endeavour!

$211

The Spinks’

Well done Waggs, we’ll be cheering you on xx

$211

Brian & Shirley Sharpley

Admirable initiative

$211

Sam B

Go well Waggatron, Zacco & Joe! Lots of love Sam, Sal, Edie & Lou

$211

David Ballantyne

Not sure what is harder, training or the final swim! Good luck James and team.

$211

Marina And Sam

Sorry for the delay mate :) love you both heaps

$211

Ella & Emily Wilkinson

So proud of you Uncle Jim! We love you xx

$211

Dan Schneider

Herculean challenge for a most worthy cause. Go well, mate! Wishing you all the best.

$211

Isaac, Harvey, Sienna And Adam

Swim fast uncle Jim/Simon

$211

Tony Vizza

Waggs, if you could win a trophy for swimming long distances in freezing cold water, the World Series would be yours. Wishing you and Zac every success and support and little Eloise all the love and wishes she deserves.

$211

Carolyn Bell

Brrrrrr, fabulous effort for an incredibly worthy cause

$211

Andrew Knight

All the best for the swim Waggs and Zac. Wonderful cause.

$211

Noah Jacobson

$211

Pete Bowden

All the best mate.

$211

Kate Mcleod

Go Waggs! Wonderful cause and thinking of you and your little family! Wishing you and Zac all the best on this challenge!

$211

Arvind Krishnamoorthy

Love your work Wagg!

$211

Skafte Fam

Amazing work for a beautiful gal 💖

$211

Paddy Cain

You’re an inspiration Jim, not quite to the same levels as young El but that’s an impossible bar to reach! Good luck!

$211

Sara & Dave Hellyer

Wishing you all the best guys as you tackle the chilly bay for an amazing cause! xxx

$211

Ben Melvin-smith

Amazing cause Waggy and what a great inspiration Eloise is. Good luck boys, I know you will smash it.

$211

Luke Guirguis And Kristy Brockwell

Good luck with the swim Wagg and what an incredible effort for a great cause.

$211

Ralph Family

Sending love to Eloise and good luck for the challenge! Xx

$211

Connors Family

Good luck Jim! Such a wonderful way to show your appreciation to those who have helped with Eloise. All the best, we will be cheering you on from Sweden! Much love from the Connors family xx

$211

Sarah Maule

You’re an inspiration Wagga! Amazing effort. Well done! Love you! Love Mauley and Matt

$211

Deborah And Michael Sweeney

$209

Mario Papaleo

Great cause and dedication James (and Zac), well done.

$207.50

Nick Larkins

Sending all our love Jimbo!!

$207.50

Ryan Rabbitt

Well done guys - all the best!!

$207.50

The Rawling Family

A great cause for a great Dad! Best of luck James.

$207.50

John Schultz

Go jimmy

$207.50

Stephanie Rockefeller

Incredible and inspirational! What a wonderful cause. Eloise is a little legend.

$207.50

Jim And Jo

Extremely proud of what you are doing for Eloise - maybe the Cook Strait next 🙌

$207.50

Siba Diqer

Dead set legends (and slightly insane!)! Can’t wait to cheer you across the finish line. You never cease to amaze me!

$201

Hiren Mehta

Go Team Eloise!!! What a great challenge and cause James. Eloise will be proud of her Daddy.

$201

Anonymous

Go on Waggy!

$201

Lou & Woody

You’re a brave man Wagg. Crossing our fingers for calm waters and sending our love to Eloise and your family. Swim well Team x

$200

Steven Pell

$200

Anthony Jackson

$200

Cameron Blagdon

Nicely done mate. All the best to you and ZP on the swim.

$158.25

Alena Foster

Go Waggs!

$158.25

Ivy Lee

Inspirational James and Zac!

$158.25

Sarah Trenchard

Good luck! Jack and I look forward to seeing you all in Trevelyan street soon. Much love to you all 🩷

$158.25

Wilson Tighe & Noemie Paul

Fantastic cause and insane work on the fundraising. Noemie, Garance and I wish you all the best with the swim and your hard work for this Challenge!

$155.63

Charlie + Tara

$155.63

Michael Hennessy

You're a champion mate. Wishing you all the best, you''ll crush it

$155.63

Paula Joseph

Amazing challenge to take on and for a fantastic cause Wagg, Zac and Joe. Good luck - I’ll be thinking of you!

$151

The Fillys

Such an incredible effort by all of you, making Eloise and all of us so proud.

$151

Steven Wong

All the best Wagg on this amazing challenge. I'm sure Eloise will be very proud of you for braving the freezing sea and will be waiting for you at the finish with a warm hug and big smile!

$150

Anonymous

From Larry D

$150

Louisa Burke

$105.50

Nat & Billy Cheeseman

Go Jim! If you’re half as strong as El, we know you’ll get it done!

$105.50

Zachary Voll

$105.50

Katherine & Daniel Chisholm

Hi James, All the best for the swim & congratuations on undertaking such a task for a great cause! Danny & Kathy Chisholm

$105.50

Patrick Quigley

Good luck and much love from me, Mon and the kids.

$105.50

Sarah & Jess

Incredible James! Cheering hard and sending love to you and your beautiful family xxxx

$105.50

Mike & Alice

Onya Jim!

$105.50

Annabel Yencken

You are an inspiration Wagg! All the best for the swim and best of wishes to you, Jules, Eloise and Lachie!

$105.50

Taylor Holub

A truly challenging swim for a great cause - I’m sure you guys will smash it!

$105.50

Michael Stiles

$105.50

Sophia Paikopoulos

Incredible effort James and Zac! Wishing you all the best.

$105.50

Kellie Parsons

$105.50

Tijac

$105.50

Helen & Robert Fleming

$105.50

Maddy Hunter

Good Luck James! Amazing effort in the middle of winter and a really great cause.

$105.50

Matt O'keefe

Huge mate

$105.50

Jenny Nettleton

$105.50

Grant Siedle The Rip Swim Director)

Good luck for the swim James and Zac. I can't wait to see you in action as you take on the most exciting stretch of water in Australia! I have assigned you my most experienced kayaker so you will swim straight! We are thrilled to have you both on board and very happy to be supporting this important cause for your daughter Eloise and the Monash Childrens Hospital. Grant Siedle

$105.50

Adrian Larkins

All the best James.

$105.50

Jacci Tommy Sophie And James Giuliani

Good Luck James x

$105.50

Madeleine Griffiths

A wonderful effort Jim for a wonderful cause xxx

$105.50

Tessa M

What an incredible effort Wagg and Zac and team! Sending lots of love to Eloise and your family, and to the amazing people at Monash Children’s.

$105.50

Milo Sweeney

$105.50

Josh Agius

$105.50

Alice Saveneh-murray

Go get it guys - what a huge effort!

$105.50

Georgia And Marc Akkerman

Sending love and positive vibes for the swim

$105.50

Samantha Seoud

Amazing effort!

$105.50

Charlie Chisholm

Impressive mate, so happy to contribute to such a special cause.

$105.50

Sarah And Adsie Kachyckyj

On ya Waggs! Sending all the love to your beautiful family

$105.50

Nick & Nina Sherry

$105.50

Jack Grace Harry And Randy

You’re an inspiration Waggs! Great effort and great cause xx

$105.50

Aaliya Fernandes

Such an incredible cause!! All the best to you both.

$105.50

Cat Lee

All the best!

$105.50

Campbell And Lucy Stretch

$105.50

Lulu & John

Great cause and good luck with the swim!

$105.50

Cassie Lacey

$105.50

Juliette Long

An extraordinary and inspirational effort- wishing you the best of luck for your swim.

$105.50

Danny And Gigi Meehan And Silk

The Frampchise will be watching over and hopefully getting inspired

$105.50

Aaron Johnstone

All the best mate!! Absolutely amazing effort!!

$105.50

George Grigoriadis

Truly inspirational mate Much love

$105.50

Carolyn Meehan

Congratulations on such an amazing feat. Great effort

$105.50

Cecile & Bill

Well done what a journey! Congratulations on your swim and to Julia, Lachie and Eloise how wonderful Love Ryan Nixon clan

$105.50

Caitlin Buerckner

Incredible James!

$105.50

Michael Allen

$105.50

Q-ball

All the best mate!

$105.50

Bromberg

A wonderful thing you are doing for your child. Good luck to you and your family.

$105.50

Sarah, Glenn And Archie Edwards

Sending love and best wishes to Eloise and all the kids who will benefit from this. Well done James on an incredible way to raise funds and awareness. Love Stoner and family xx

$105.50

Lisa Dunlop

Good luck with the swim 🏊 - it’s probably going to be warmer in the water than out!

$104.50

Jonathon Meehan

$104.50

Anonymous

$103.75

Lisa Donohoe

$103.75

Lucinda Gannon

Goodluck James!

$103.75

Sam Broughton

$101

Alex Sweeney

Go James! Such an important cause. I am sure all those laps we did with Vlad back in the day will hold you in good stead for this challenge! x

$101

James O'connell

Huge effort Wagg and what a great cause. Go well mate!

$101

Jfo & The Don Dons

Hi James, Jules, Lachie and Eloise, I’m so inspired by this incredible swim and your amazing loving family! Absolutely incredible. You will smash this swim James. And Jules I know you’d be doing lots in the background to make this possible. How amazing and I hope you reach your goal for the hospital. Sending love much love. James, the hot shower you have post-swim will be the best you’ve ever had! lol! Go go go! You’ve got this. Truly in awe and cheering you on all the way. Xx Love Jess Foley, Tom, Paddy and Eva

$101

Alex

Great effort Jim. Make it into Lonny for a well deserved, fresh pint of b milk.

$101

Chris Axsentieff

Amazing work mate. Cold just thinking about it.

$100

Anthony Burke

Great cause mate. Not many have done that swim (especially in winter without a wetsuit). Certainly not for the faint hearted! Best of luck.

$100

David Omond

$100

Jake

You’re amazing Jim!!

$100

Sophia Spiliotopoulos

Eloise is such a lucky little lady with a dad like you, James - willing to go to great depths to make her life, and the lives of other kiddos better. Swim well.

$100

Ann-maree Roney

How inspirational James! Good luck to Zac and yourself, what a wonderful cause (and best wishes to gorgeous Eloise!). AM

$100

Jarron Puszet

Go Waggs you champion!!

$100

Karli Cibich

Incredible effort James and Team!! Well done and good luck!

$100

Richard Sweeney

I have a 4 month old and nearly 4 year old at home. Family is my world! Wishing your family all the best!

$79.13

Laura Riordan

Best of luck Wagg!!

$75

Cameron Berry

$60

Josh Garkawe

$54

Luke And Rae.

All the best for the swim. Great work!

$53.25

Lillie And Nick Mills

Best of luck guys - an incredible cause!

$52.75

James Bugeja

$52.75

Hadi Mazloum

💪🏼

$52.75

James Mentha

Go well Waggs and Zac!

$52.75

Paul Siarabalos

Good stuff James, inspiring stuff!

$52.75

Andrea Mckerley

Wishing you a safe & successful swim. Congratulations on raising both awareness & funds for such a great cause & the Monash Hospital- very inspiring. Good luck..

$52.75

Max Rivadera

You're an incredible guy James. Wishing you strength and good luck.

$52.75

April Harvey

Amazing work x

$52.75

Carolyn Ashby

Good luck with the swim Waggs!

$52.75

Matthew Star

$52.75

Justine

Wagg! So proud of you. What a phenomenal mission you’ve set yourself. If anyone can do this, it’s you!!

$52.75

Anna Nguyen-thai

$52.75

Richard Lee

$52.75

Ron And Janice

Best wishes from number 44. Very happy to be supporting Eloise and the Monash Children's Hospital.

$52.75

Jess Gamble & Dennis Family

A very special cause. Good luck, James! X

$52.75

Jess Deschepper

Good luck James! What a wonderful thing you’re doing’

$52.75

Michael + Irene Socic

Good Luck James!

$52.75

John Dewar

Best of luck James!

$52.75

Rob Rambaldi

Outstanding, what a great charity and example for your daughter

$52.75

Nat Chin

Such an incredible cause and effort by you, Zac and Joe.

$52.75

Ainley Family

Just keep swimming James, go for it!

$52.75

Melissa Arnts

Amazing effort Jim!!!

$52.75

Anita Fleming

Good luck guys what a great thing to do for the amazing little princess Eloise 💕 and all the children at Monash children’s hospital x

$52.75

Sammy And Joel Zimbler

Well done James!! Amazing effort !

$52.75

Anonymous

$52.75

Tom Korda

$52.75

Anonymous

$52.75

Shalini Widyaratne

$52.25

Daniela Calabro

Good luck Wagg xx

$51.88

Brigitte Lonie

Good luck!

$50

Sam Briggs

$50

Alex Barlow

Love hearing your anecdotes of being miserable in the sea; they brighten up my Mondays! Super inspiring stuff James

$50

Sanchit K

I wish you all the best for your swim. This is an extraordinary effort for a worthy cause.

$50

Michelle Port

Amazing effort …good luck xx

$50

Tim Mulvaney

$50

Naomi Wilson

$31.13

Monica Jenkins

$26.38

Harry Larkins

You are so brave uncle Jim, I think that you are the best Jim in the world. Thank you for helping Monash Children’s Hospital. Stay away from the sharks. Love Harry

$21.10

Wilbur Stephenson

Good luck with it all.

$5.28

Peter Doyle

Go Jim, swim your lungs out!! The two dogs and I will be rooting for you from the shore!! Brrrrrrrr I’m cold just thinking about it. Happy to be supporting my close friend for such a crazy undertaking.

$2.49