Good Day ALL! I feel like singing Pharrell Williams’ “Happy” song this morning because we have had some human angels do donations overnight and our Swim for Hope fundraising effort has climbed quite a bit.
Donating to this worthy cause is your way of helping us to help more Children with Cancer by honouring the COURAGEOUS efforts of the 17 swimmers that took on the rough, icy seas of the Cape of Storms in the EPIC 8km Cape Point Rounding last Friday!
In actual fact, I think that is exactly what I WILL do… sing along with me now…
It might seem crazy what I’m ’bout to say
Sunshine she’s here, you can take a break
I’m a hot air balloon that could go to space
With the air, like I don’t care baby by the way
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
Just to get you a bit more motivated, here are some more photos so that you can see exactly what these heroes of ours had to face:
Team Swim for Hope 2016
Noteworthy
* ALL Swimmers came in with sub-three hour times
* New Male Record – Anthony Pearse
* Youngest ever swimmer to round Cape Point – Saee Sukale
* Second Youngest ever swimmer to round Cape Point – Prabhat Koli
* First Male Indian swimmer to round Cape Point – Prabhat Koli
* First Female Indian swimmer to round Cape Point – Saee Sukale
Two swimmers had to be pulled from the water due to cold, but we are happy to share that they fully recovered, and would like to thank their support crews and EMS Medical Support for their quick and thorough assistance.
THIS was SUCH a special moment – our reigning Champion, Anthony Pearse, welcoming and congratulating our second swimmer, Prabhat Koli, home! Prabhat is also the Second Youngest Swimmer to round Cape Point (at a mere 16 years of age) and the First Male Indian Swimmer to round Cape Point .
Prabhat came in at a very noteworthy 1:55, a mere 16 minutes after Anthony and we cannot wait to see what he is going to do next year! Sorry, Anthony, but I think your crown is in danger [Tip: Prabhat and I have a deal – I am going to be on his boat next year with a big paddle to smack his bottom to swim faster 😉 ]
Some more photos taken at the start…
Official Times
Swim for Hope Official Swimmer’s Times:
Eben Karsten (15) DNF
Anthony Pearse (8) 1:39
Prabhat Koli (13) 1:55
Justin Coetzee (6) 1:59
Herman van der Westhuizen (9) 2:02
Motti Lewis (17) DNF
Heinrich Langner (11) 2:11
Martin Vleggaar (2) 2:11
Samantha Whelpton (5) 2:12
Chris Loker (10) 2:12
Saee Sukale (12) 2:40
Arafat gatabazi (14) 2:41
Mervyn Bremner (3) 2:41
Derrick Frazer (16) 2:45
Tony Sellmeyer (4) 2:54
Richard Child (7) 2:54
Lindsay de Kock (1) 2:54
All times were recorded and verified by an official from CLDSA
Below are a few more photos of the Point, the Swim and the Finish – we are still waiting for the Official photographs and videos (hopefully) and will post those as soon as we have them.
Once again, our respect, admiration and heartfelt thanks go out to everyone who was involved in Swim for Hope 2016 in any way – without every single one of you we would not have been able to do this!
We had an AWESOME Team on board this year: BigBayEvents, Comply360, NCC Environmental Services, TYR South Africa, and various others, including CLDSA, various Media, Boatsmen, Skippers, Volunteers, and Friends and Family.
Thanks to all for making Swim for Hope 2016 an Epic and Unforgettable event!
Fundraising
We are currently sitting on R93 854.96 and that R100 000 target is so close that I can almost taste it like our swimmers got a good taste of the sea with all the mouthfuls of seawater that they swallowed on Friday!
We are now only R6 145.04 short of a massive accomplishment!!
Our swimmers did FANTASTICALLY well and really deserve to crown their efforts with a record amount raised this year – PLEASE do not disappoint them!
Remember that the reason that they took on the Epic Cape Point Rounding in freezing cold water and swallowed massive mouthfuls of sea water was not just for fun (although there was loads of that too) but to raise Awareness for Childhood Cancer and to raise Funds for the Little Fighters Cancer Trust.
Swim For Hope around the Cape of Good Hope is an exclusive group swim attempt around Cape Point to raise funds for the Little Fighters Cancer Trust’s Bag of Hope project. This was the 4th Swim for Hope event and the 3rd Swim for Hope Group Event.
Carina Bruwer~Pugliese from the SAMA award-winning group Sterling EQ, who is also a Veteran Marathon Swimmer and active LFCT Supporter and Advocate, initiated Swim For Hope with a solo rounding in 2013, and decided to turn it into an invitational in order to increase fundraising potential. Carina did not actively participate in Swim for Hope 2016 due to her growing baby-bump, but WAS there to give inspiration and encouragement to all the participants.
Since then there have been two group swims, with fourteen swimmers participating in each of the 2014 and 2015 Group Swims. See more about the previous swims HERE and HERE.
All funds raised will go towards the Little Fighters Cancer Trust’s BAG OF HOPE Project.
A BAG OF HOPE provides essentials for both the Child with Cancer and his/her mother or
bedside care-giver, with items such as toiletries, pyjamas, non-perishable food, educational toys, blankets and sanitary products, making a challenging and prolonged hospital stay, just a bit more comfortable.
LFCT is operational in 11 main paediatric oncology treatment centres throughout South Africa, including the Western Cape, Gauteng, Kwazulu Natal, Eastern Cape and Free State.
The Little Fighters Cancer Trust supports Children with Cancer and their Families throughout South Africa.
In cases where there is no family support structure, such as in oncology wards in Children’s Homes and Places of Safety, we are often the only line of support which these young Cancer Fighters have.
Our approach to support is holistic – we do not just look at practical and financial support, but also concentrate hugely on emotional support, providing relief where needed in and out of hospital.
Thank YOU!!
*A big thank you to these offline donors:
Martin Vleggaar, Welgedacht Spar Swimmer Entry Donation: R2000.00
Richard Child, Conbrako: R2000.00 Swimmer Entry Donation
Richard Child, Conbrako: R5000.00 “Really looking forward to seeing all of you and of course those beautiful cliffs.”
Samantha Whelp ton: R2000.00 Swimmer Entry Donation
Lindsay de Kock: R2000.00 Swimmer Entry Donation
Tony Sellmeyer: R2000.00 Swimmer Entry Donation
Mervyn Bremner: R2000.00 Swimmer Entry Donation
Anthony Pearse: R2000.00 Swimmer Entry Donation
Herman van der Westhuizen/ Water Skills SA: R2000.00 Swimmer Entry Donation
Water Skills SA: R5000.00 “Water Skills SA is proud to Support Swim for Hope 2016”.
Arafat Gatabazi, R2000.00 Swimmer Entry Donation
Chris Loker / Moksha, R2000.00 Swimmer Entry Donation
Waterskills SA: R5000 (staff contributions and company donation)
Motti Lewis: R2000.00 Swimmer Entry Donation
Heinrich Langner: R2000.00 Swimmer Entry Donation
Derrick Frazer: R2000.00 Swimmer Entry Donation
Saee Sukale: R2000.00 Swimmer Entry Donation
Prabhat Koli: R2000.00 Swimmer Entry Donation
Eben Karsten: R2000.00 Swimmer Entry Donation
Kath Boast: R1000.00
Conbrako: R5000.00
Cebano Consultants: R2500.00 ‘Congratulations Heinrich Langner and all Swimmers!’
Donations
| Name | Comment | Date | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kris Adams | keep fighting | Apr 13, 2016 | R 514.10 |
| Sue and Des | a small something for the Little Fighter | Apr 12, 2016 | R 205.64 |
| DUNGBEETLE RIVER LODGE | CHRIS LOKER OUR SON IN LAW. WISHING ALL SWIMMERS BEST WISHES. GREAT CAUSE. | Apr 12, 2016 | R 510.00 |
| Justin | So stoked and proud of you, Heinie! | Apr 12, 2016 | R 500.00 |
| Andrew | for those who put in the hard yard | Apr 11, 2016 | R 180.00 |
| Chris Edwards | Well Done Eben | Apr 11, 2016 | R 514.10 |
| Paddy | Nice Chris | Apr 11, 2016 | R 500.00 |
| Cheryl | Well done Chris | Apr 11, 2016 | R 102.82 |
| Stan Kozlowski | Well done Mervyn Bremner, Lindsay De Kock and all the other swimmers on your efforts to provide hope for others. Bless You all !!! | Apr 11, 2016 | R 510.00 |
| tizzy | Swem SeeKat swem! | Apr 11, 2016 | R 210.00 |
| Ian Logan | Well done! Great effort & great cause. | Apr 11, 2016 | R 1 028.20 |
| Ossi Schmidt | It was an awsome swim in challenging conditions. Priviledged to observe. Well done to fund raisers, organisers, boat crews and last but not least intrepid swimmers. | Apr 10, 2016 | USD $ 35.13 |
| Daniel | Well done Arafat! | Apr 10, 2016 | R 514.10 |
| Nicola | Acknowledging all children who fight adversity | Apr 10, 2016 | R 205.64 |
| Delle Henry | So proud of you incredibly brave open water swimmers….an amazing cause! | Apr 09, 2016 | R 514.10 |
| Bilal | Well done eben | Apr 08, 2016 | R 514.10 |
| Matrix Fund Managers | Well Done Eben – matching the team’s personal donations with this amount! | Apr 08, 2016 | R 4 524.08 |
| Roushana | Good luck Eben!! | Apr 08, 2016 | R 514.10 |
| Jean Viljoen | Its a privelege to donate to this fantastic cause. Well done swimmers, and thanks Heinrich Langner to alerting us to it. | Apr 08, 2016 | R 500.00 |
| cara geffen | Backing Eben | Apr 08, 2016 | R 514.10 |
| Wallie | Lekker swem Eben! | Apr 08, 2016 | R 514.10 |
| Bruce Mommsen | Good luck Eben!! | Apr 08, 2016 | R 308.46 |
| Sollie legend | is daar geelstert in die baai? laat weet asap | Apr 08, 2016 | R 514.10 |
| Sunfish | To all the little kids x | Apr 08, 2016 | R 210.00 |
| Taryn | Good Luck Eben! | Apr 08, 2016 | R 102.82 |
| Karen | Swim fishies! | Apr 08, 2016 | R 514.10 |
| Kaila & Mika Harbich | Well done Chris!!! U goooooo!!! | Apr 08, 2016 | R 2 056.40 |
| Leon | Good luck Eben! | Apr 08, 2016 | R 1 028.20 |
| zoid | go Heinnie! | Apr 08, 2016 | R 514.10 |
| Peet Karsten | Backing Eben Karsten lekker swem Pa en Ma | Apr 08, 2016 | R 514.10 |
| Ann Gray | Have a safe swim Mervyn abd Lindsay for a very worthy cause | Apr 08, 2016 | R 102.82 |
| Marne Meades | Enjoy the swim! | Apr 08, 2016 | R 1 000.00 |
| Linda Smith | Go Eben! Trots op jou. | Apr 08, 2016 | R 500.00 |
| Jacques Karsten | Great Work! Go Eben | Apr 07, 2016 | R 205.64 |
| Mark Cohen | Good luck from Scotland | Apr 07, 2016 | R 514.10 |
| Paul Mirbach | Anything to help cancer victims. Those who have been close to it, know how important this is. | Apr 07, 2016 | R 293.04 |
| Ben | Sterkte Eben en span! | Apr 07, 2016 | R 205.64 |
| Nikki | Good luck! | Apr 07, 2016 | R 514.10 |
| Gabi, Aust and Charlie | Proud of you dad! | Apr 07, 2016 | R 308.46 |
| Erik | Good luck Eben | Apr 07, 2016 | R 1 028.20 |
| Johannes | Thanks for making the effort guys. Lekker swem Eben! | Apr 07, 2016 | R 514.10 |
| Edru | good luck!! | Apr 07, 2016 | R 1 028.20 |
| Yunus | Have a good swim | Apr 07, 2016 | R 200.00 |
| small_servant | All the best to Eben and the rest, may the force be with you! | Apr 07, 2016 | R 205.64 |
| Leko | Good luck Eben and other members | Apr 07, 2016 | R 200.00 |
| Marge | Good Luck Eben | Apr 07, 2016 | R 102.82 |
| Rob | Enjoy the swim Eben! | Apr 07, 2016 | R 308.46 |
| Chris Laubscher | Good luck everyone! Wishing you a calm and warm ocean! | Apr 07, 2016 | R 257.05 |
| Maura Sanderoff | Godd Luck Tony, Arafat, Motti, Chris, Eben & Heinrich, Lindsay and others | Apr 07, 2016 | R 154.23 |
| Louw | Go Eben! | Apr 06, 2016 | USD $ 6.90 |
| Marge Blumeris | Good Luck Chris! | Apr 06, 2016 | R 514.10 |
| Rob | Good luck Chris | Apr 06, 2016 | R 205.64 |
| Victoria Reuvers | Swimming for a great cause Chris! | Mar 16, 2016 | R 100.00 |
| yael joffe | an inspirring story | Mar 14, 2016 | R 210.00 |
| Craig & Nicky Middleton | What an inspirational story Arafat – God bless!! | Mar 14, 2016 | R 1 025.00 |
| Marion | Good luck Arafat! | Mar 13, 2016 | R 150.00 |
| Made In Africa Films | Made in Africa Films | Mar 10, 2016 | R 6 330.00 |
| Piet Kellerman | In honour of a wonderful man who unfortunately lost the battle. | Mar 08, 2016 | R 410.00 |
| Made in Africa FIlms | From Phil at Made in Africa Films | Feb 24, 2016 | R 1 275.00 |
| Rocket FIlms Africa | From Debbie Cornell @ Rocket Films Africa | Feb 23, 2016 | R 1 010.00 |
You can make donations to the Swim for Hope effort by donating directly via any of the following methods.
Banking Details
ACCOUNT NAME: Little Fighters Cancer Organization
BANK: First National Bank
BRANCH: Paarl Mall
ACCOUNT NUMBER: 62277783249
BRANCH CODE: 250057
ACCOUNT TYPE: Cheque
SWIFT CODE FOR INTERNATIONAL DONATIONS: FIRNZAJJ
Please email your proof of payment and personal message to lfct@littlefighters.org.za and if needed, request your Section 18A ta benefit and B-BEEE score documentation.
Please mark all EFT donations with “Swim for Hope”
Back-a-Buddy
Corporates as well as members of the public are encouraged to sponsor and donate, via “BackaBuddy”.
Corporate sponsors can contact Little Fighters Cancer Trust directly on 073 729 6155 or mandie@littlefighters.org.za for organisational information such as taxation and BEE benefits, as the organisation is a registered NPO with PBO status.
PLEASE HONOUR OUR AMAZINGLY BRAVE SWIMMERS BY SUPPORTING SWIM FOR HOPE! Each donation is worth gold.
