Sarah Tinney

Founder of the Marilyn Jetty Swim

2022 SA Local Hero Nominee

Sarah Tinney’s mother was diagnosed with uterine cancer in 2006, passing away a year later. From that point on, Sarah pledged to help raise money to cure cancer in her mother’s honour.

It was in 2013 that Sarah suggested a fundraiser with a difference. What started as a light-hearted conversation at the Brighton Surf Lifesaving Club, later turned into the Marilyn Jetty Swim. The event sees hundreds of women (and men) dress up as Marilyn Monroe for a swim around the Brighton Jetty.

The Marilyn Jetty Swim is now the biggest community event supporting Cancer Council SA, with over $670,000 raised since its inception. It also won the Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of people dressed as Marilyn Monroe in 2020 – with 254 blonde bombshells dressed as the 1950s icon.

Devoted to her local Brighton community, Sarah gathers adventurous women and men from all different walks of life, united by their desire to see the end of cancer.