Grieving siblings lend support to K9 officers

DESPITE their heartbreak, the daughters of Brenda Scriven, who washed away during the 2016 flash floods and was never found, are keeping her legacy alive by transforming their pain into a purpose.

Brenda’s three daughters, Kirsti Scriven, Tami Scriven and Lindy Swales, call themselves Brenda’s Angels, and soon after members of the SAPS Search and Rescue Unit called off the search for their mom, 10 days after she disappeared into raging waters, they felt a calling.

After working closely with teams from SAPS Search and Rescue Unit since their mom was seen in CCTV footage being washed away while she was on her way from work on The Bluff, Brenda’s daughters felt overwhelmed with the support that they were given.

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“My mom’s car broke down in water that was flooding the road. She got out of her car. The water was only ankle deep, but the surge of the current swept her off her feet and into the raging water.

“We were amazed by the support we received from the teams searching for our mom, and because specialised equipment and other resources were needed to search for her, we started a page on social media to raise funds.

“After the search was called off, we were left with a surplus of donations and decided to use the money to open a non-profit organisation called Brenda’s Canine Fund, which lends support to the SAPS Search and Rescue teams K9 officers,” said Lindy.

To date, through various fundraising initiatives, Brenda’s Angels have provided equipment, care packages, glow-in-the-dark collars, medication, leash sets, K9 first aid kits, orthopedic beds, and a geyser for the veterinary section of the unit.

They have also upgraded the kennels and assisted to fit the costs for specialised kennels at the back of police vehicles to ensure safe transportation.

Kirsti, Tami and Lindy were overwhelmed with the support received from The Bluff residents when they were hosted during a fundraising initiative at the Wentworth Bowling Club, recently.

“Together, we told our story of resilience, sharing the steps we took to overcome the challenges that life sent our way. Brenda’s Canine Fund is a testament to the power of unity and the strength that can arise from even the most difficult circumstances. While we continue to mourn the loss of our mom, we will keep her memory alive by continuing to support the K9 heroes who spend days and sometimes months in the field. We encourage more people to get involved or donate so that we can make sure that our courageous search and rescue dogs are well taken care of,” said Kirsti.

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