Following a week of captivity, Swoop, the Penryn mascot, was safely returned to his home and reunited with his foot.
Last Thursday, he was kidnapped from Penryn College by a “mob” in four Audis.
The kidnappers were met with fierce resistance from the pupils and were forced to take to the veld to escape, leaving one of Swoop’s feet behind.
Within minutes, J&M Security was on the scene and started “investigating”. Hours later a video was released to Penryn with footage of Swoop apparently being manhandled and pleading, “Just pay the money, I want to go home”.
This was followed by an alleged ransom demand from Mr Austin Clarke, the headmaster of Uplands College. It quickly became evident that the kidnapping was a publicity stunt to raise awareness and funds for Hospice White River. Clarke gave the assurance that “no animals had been harmed in the production of the video” and stated that “on payment of a generous ransom” to hospice. Swoop would be returned to Penryn, “unplucked and unharmed”.
Mr Gary Duke, chairman of Hospice White River sent a letter to Penryn expressing their deepest sympathy for the “unprecedented” kidnapping and assured Penryn that “we will do all in our power to secure the release of Swoop – as soon as the ransom has been paid”.
Promising to institute a government-funded “commission of inquiry” to investigate the matter, he assured them that “heads will roll: the guilty party will be suspended on full pay for 10 years, then promoted”.
Joining in the fun, Mr Rigardt Strauss from Audi Nelspruit quipped that he was not surprised that Audis were used as they have “the best roadholding” and in this case, great bundu-bashing ability. As with all fairy tales, Swoop was safely returned to his home on Thursday morning during school assembly. Following a rousing flash mob by 30 dance students of Rythmn Image Dance Studio, Swoop was handed back by Uplands teacher Mr Charles Keegan and his team of kidnappers.
Penryn was given an extension of time to raise the ransom and Ms Di Atherton of hospice thanked the community for their good sportsmanship and generosity.
Keegan challenged Penryn to formulate their own team to raise funds for hospice: their challenge is to make Uplands pay, with the proceeds going to Hospice White River!
