Aquatic Zone swimming school in Houghton will hold a swimathon event on September 12, from 10:30 until 13:30.
The family-oriented event, which will adhere to all Covid-19 protocols, will be held to raise funds for the Make A Difference Foundation and swimming enthusiasts can book a 15-minute slot to participate.
During the 15 minutes, swimmers can do as many lengths (or widths) as they can. They will get certificates and there will be a prize for different age groups. Swimmers of all abilities and age categories are welcome. Flotation aids will be permitted. There will be assistants in the pool with those that need help.
Swim school owner Jean Bester explained she was made aware of the Make A Difference Foundation through swim school teacher, Jana Senekal. Senekal will be taking part in the upcoming Mad2Run relay event, with a 40 person-strong relay team, in October. The relay event is held between Johannesburg to Cape Town and covers 1 520km to raise funds for the foundation. The non-profit organisation sponsors gifted, but underprivileged, children with high school and tertiary education scholarships.
When all swim schools were closed last year for four months during lockdown, Senekal lost her income. As the breadwinner for her family, she found this incredibly tough. She explained that for a short period she experienced what it was like to worry about how she was going to feed her children and pay her children’s schools fees. This motivated her to help others in need.
“I am extremely proud of Jana, who only started running in the middle of 2019, when I convinced her to do a half marathon,” said
Bester. “She is now taking on this incredible challenge and is going to run a half marathon every day until she gets to Cape Town and then, when she arrives in Cape Town, she will run the Cape Town Marathon.”
Bester explained that as a qualified teacher who had taught for many years before opening her swim school, she was passionate about education and educating people. “This is why I chose to support Senekal to raise funds for this wonderful cause.”
Bester said she believes that if we educate future leaders in our country, it will make a difference to South Africa.
The entrance for the swimathon will be R50 per entrant and all funds raised will go to Mad2Adventures, which raises funds for the Make A Difference Foundation.
Details: Jean Bester 083 427 7497; norwood@aquatots.co.za. To support the charity, go to www.payfast.co.za/donate/go/mad2adventures-for-a-cause
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