The sound of cheering echoed across St Katharine’s Preparatory School in Parktown West on January 17, as the school’s annual swimathon turned the weekend into a joyful display of generosity and teamwork.

Read more: Zoo Lake swimming pool reopens at last, welcoming the community back to the water

From confident, powerful strokes to careful first splashes, the pool was alive with energy. Among the most heart-warming moments were those involving the Grade 0 learners, who only officially start school on Wednesday, but eagerly took part, guided and encouraged by the school’s Grade 7 learners. Small hands gripped kickboards, older girls swam alongside them, and the message was clear: no one swims alone.

Every lap completed was in support of the Jumping Kids NGO, which provides prosthetic limbs for children and honours the legacy of former St Katharine’s learner Victoria Barry. The swimathon, now a much-anticipated annual event, blends fundraising with education, teaching learners the power of empathy and inclusion.

Jumping Kids’ Michael Stevens said he was surprised by the size of the turnout and deeply grateful for the school’s continued generosity and perseverance. He explained that the initiative began as a joint project between Jumping Kids and Victoria, whose own amputation following cancer sparked a movement that has since grown to support many children living with limb differences.

Also read: Swimmer gets points needed to join the Swimming South Africa (SSA) high performance youth squad

Stevens added that the partnership has helped embed Jumping Kids within the school community, strengthening links with other schools and opening conversations around disability and belonging.

All learners from Grade 0 to Grade 7 participated, swimming as many laps as they could to raise funds, while families and staff cheered from the sidelines. The swimathon stood as a powerful reminder that compassion, courage and a helping hand can carry someone far beyond the edge of the pool.