Support the swim in aid of the Teddy Bear Foundation
PARKTOWN – Donor liaison officer at TBF Dalene Bishop said that this year’s swim aims to raise R10 000 for TBF and a number of grocery items to assist children.
Locals are urged to support three people and one bear who will be completing the Midmar Mile on February 12.
Elvira Wood, her 17-year-old son Jason Wood, Robyn Merry and Bindi the Bear will swim the mile to raise awareness and funds for the Teddy Bear Foundation (TBF) in Parktown.
Donor liaison officer at TBF Dalene Bishop said that this year’s swim aims to raise R10 000 for TBF and a number of grocery items to assist children.
Bishop said that South Africa’s rates of neonaticide, child abuse and child murder are currently among the highest in the world.
“Unwanted pregnancies have been identified as the leading cause of this problem, with a trajectory that is unquestionably correlated to children’s access to education,” said Bishop.
The funds will be put towards the sexual and reproductive health programme which incorporates family planning education and support services as an approach to intervention and long-term prevention.
Bishop explained, “Girls are facing increased risk of not completing their education following the rise in teenage pregnancies that occurred during the 2020 and 2021 school closures. Although South Africa has many well developed programmes, widespread access to contraceptive services and exceptionally liberal abortion legislation, social norms, stigmatisation and other practices create barriers that ultimately result in pregnancy being an end to education for as many as one million girls across sub-Saharan Africa.”
Former Olympian Elvira Wood said that this is her third year swimming in aid of TBF.
“Support has dwindled over the last few years and this is sad because lockdown has increased the incidences of child abuse because of children spending more time at home. We need to create more awareness,” said Wood.
She explained that swimming with Bindi the bear attracts a lot of questions, which helps create awareness for the foundation.
Merry said that there is nothing more important than swimming for abused children, who often cannot speak up for themselves.
Community members are encouraged to donate items including, soft toys, colouring books and crayons, play dough, cooking oil, maize meal, pasta, rice, tinned fish, baked beans, soup packets, small packets of samp and soya mince, cool drinks, peanut butter, jam, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, lip balm, bath soap, body lotion and sanitary towels.
To donate the abovementioned items or donate money, email Dalene at daleneb@ttbc.org.za or call her on 083 469 9196.
ALSO READ:
Natalie du Toit and Team Fortissimo take on the Midmar Mile to raise funds for the Teddy Bear Clinic
Natalie du Toit and her team take on Midmar Mile in aid of abused children
