IT has been exactly a year since the day that Brenda Scriven was washed away during the heavy rains that pelted the streets of Durban on 25 July 2016. The Sunningdale woman was on her way home from work when tragedy struck.
Despite several searches by both Durban SAPS K9 unit, local security companies and community volunteers the mother of three was never found.
It was with a heavy heart that the Northglen News spoke to the 62-year-old’s daughter, Lindy-Leigh Swales earlier today.
An emotional Swales said the last few weeks had been particularly hard for the family as they not only have had to process the heartbreaking decision of having Scriven declared legally dead, but also the anniversary of that fateful night she vanished.
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“It really has opened up a whole lot of emotions that we thought we had dealt with.”
“People often ask me if we have had closure, but the truth is I don’t think we ever will. We miss her more and more everyday. However, the community support has always been amazing and it has given us so much strength,” she said.
“We are also such a strong family, and that has helped us get through this tragedy. We all have had different bad days. So, when one person is down the others pick them up,” added Swales.
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The family will be remembering Scriven this evening with a mini private fundraiser with close friends and people who were involved in the search. “We will be hosting a karaoke evening to celebrate her and celebrate her life,” she said.
The Swales family said they would now begin focusing on the non-profit organisation, K-9’s for Brenda, which they had launched in honour of Scriven.
Swales said they are aiming to host four major fundraisers annually. The first of which will be a golf day on 31 October.
“Through the fundraisers we are hoping to provide the unit with equipment, and also to sponsor a canine – ideally we are hoping to approach a rescue organisation so that we can give a purpose to dogs who often battle to find homes,” she explained.
Contact Lindy-Leigh Swales on 083 566 4344.
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