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On the 29 July, Crawford Lonehill’s bravest pupils and teachers took on the coldest weather of the year for a good cause during their Polar Bear Swim, which raised funds and food for Pets Empowerment in Townships (Pets).
About 50 pupils and teachers took part in the swim, donating cat and dog food as the entry fee to complete one lap of the width of the school pool, after which they received a warming cup of hot chocolate topped with marshmallows to heat them back up.
The rest of the school was there to watch and support the good cause by donating R10 each in order to also receive some hot chocolate.
All food and funds raised by the event were donated to Pets, a non-profit organisation that works together with township communities to improve the lives of disadvantaged animals by feeding them, providing vet care in emergencies and rehoming dogs and cats that are unwanted or lost.
Benjamin Manning and Gabriella Perry, Crawford Lonehill’s Mini City Councillors, dropped off the collection and were welcomed by three of the rescue dogs that Pets has helped. The organisation was ecstatic about the donations and said that they will use the food to feed dogs at their safe haven, as well as for gifts for township dogs when the animals go home after being spayed or neutered.