Swimmer helps raise over R13 000 for KZN wildlife during Midmar Mile
SANDTON – During the five years that Fallon Finlayson has participated in the 8 Mile Club, she has helped raise over R60 000.
Sandton-based Fallon Finlayson helped raise more than R13 000 for Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife by swimming the Midmar Mile eight times over.
The Sandton Chronicle reported on Finlayson’s preparation for the race in Swimmer to tackle Midmar Mile for KZN wildlife, Week ending 1 February. Finlayson is part of a small group of swimmers who swim eight miles over the course of a weekend. Each swimmer in the group commits to raising money for a charity of their choice. For Finlayson, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife is a special cause which helps to manage more than 120 protected areas.
“As always, this is by far my favourite event of the year for me and I compete in a lot of events during the year,” she said.
“It’s because it’s a bunch of like-minded people, all doing what we love, not only that, it’s all for a great cause. It’s never easy swimming eight miles no matter your experience with swimming, but doing it for a charity puts a spark to the weekend.”
She added that the conditions during this year’s race were more challenging than in previous years as it was overcast and choppy and it felt as if there was a current to swim against. However, Finlayson managed to achieve a goal this year and swam an average of one mile in 33 minutes.
Completing the eight miles gets a bit easier each year although Finlayson said this was mainly due to training smarter and harder.
Finlayson added that she was over the moon with the money raised despite tough economic conditions. “Doing the calculations, over these five years I have raised just under R62 000, all of which has gone to the rhino anti-poaching unit. I feel happy to have done this for these amazing animals.
“I need to mention my generous friends, family, colleagues as well as people I do not even know who supported me and donated all of this money to my charity.”
Finlayson thanked many of her family and friends who donated to her charity this year as well as the many strangers who contributed. She also thanked the organisers of the Midmar Mile, the founders of the 8 Mile Club and the staff who put in the work to make sure the event is a success.
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https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/197162/french-schoolchildren-compete-in-midmar-mile/
