Swimming for a cause

Westdene resident Tania Steenkamp is a woman on a mission.

She wants to swim for a worthy social cause.

Since last year, Steenkamp has been training for the upcoming Midmar Mile swimming event, through which she hopes to raise awareness and funds for the Eeuefees Oord Old Age home in Westdene. The home  has reportedly fallen into disrepair. Steenkamp was very amused by the way her training eventually started.

“The idea came to me when my daughter Lilly started swimming at school at the end of last year. I was looking at the trophies in cabinets at the school, when I saw medals for the Midmar Mile. I then asked if the children swam [participated in the] Midmar. To which the school said, yes they do. The youngest of the children who participate is eight years old. A group of the children at the school swim every year and the mothers always join them at the back. So I thought to myself, why not me,” she said

Since making this decision and gaining the support from her family, Steenkamp has been training every afternoon, since December to prepare for the event.

At first, Steenkamp intended to participate purely as a physical challenge to herself, but reconsidered as she wanted to associate her training efforts with a worthy social cause.

“I haven’t had a physical challenge in a long time. And then I decided there and then I wanted to do the Midmar Mile. Preparing for the Midmar takes a lot of time and effort. I wanted to attach my efforts for the Midmar to something meaningful. The community patrol showed me the photos of the old age home. And I thought perfect, this is it. This is worthwhile. I want to dedicate my training to the old age home.”

Steenkamp had to participate in two qualifying races in order to participate in the Midmar Mile. “Everyone has been very supportive and swimming schools have been very thorough in making sure that I am prepared,” she said.

Steenkamp explained that the created a forum on Surveymoneky to fund her cause.

“It is just a form that people fill in. At the bottom there are details for a trust fund. When donating toward the trust fund please use the reference ‘Midmar’. Any help would be greatly appreciated,” she said.

The Midmar Mile is taking place in Kwa-Zulu Natal on 7 February.

Details: www.surveymonkey.com