Midmar 8 Mile Challenge for CANSA

4 March 2021: Twenty five swimmers will be participating in the Midmar 8 Mile Challenge for CANSA on the 11th and 12th March 2021. The 8 Mile Club was started in 2004 by Stan Kozlowski and Mervyn Bremner. The objective is to raise funds for various charities by swimming all 8 events at the aQuellé Midmar Mile.

Lorraine Govender, CANSA Unit Manager KZN, says,” We are so grateful to these 25 swimmers who have been training hard, despite the challenges of COVID-19 and lockdown, for their support. Swimmers are taking part this year with no spectators along the sideline to encourage them, due to COVID and the importance of keeping numbers down. We wish these inspiring individuals all the best and a safe swim. A huge thank you also to the donors who have supported the fundraising efforts of our swimmers.”

The Midmar Mile is the world’s largest open water swim event held annually at the Midmar Dam north of Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. The distance swum is roughly one mile (1.6 km), hence the name of the race. In order to handle the vast number of competitors, the swimmers usually swim out in 5 groups at three-minute intervals in 8 separate mile races over two days. This year, the 48th edition of the aQuellé Midmar Mile, the eight events were to be spread out over two weekends instead of the usual one to ensure safety protocols were in place given the COVID-19 pandemic. Unfortunately the main races were cancelled with a virtual option available, however the Midmar 8 Mile Challenge for charities will go ahead as planned on the 11th and 12th March 2021.

The swimmers taking part are Phillipa Brown, Emma Carmody, Morne Claassen, David Clark, Zastra Conway-Nunn, Jason Cooke, Lauren Culverwell, Johannes Davel, Lance Fraser, Bronwyn Glasspoole, Diaz Hargreaves, Robbie Hattingh, Kirsty Hyslop, Amani Ismail, Lisa Kirsch, Jani Maritz, Carol Mason, Brett Mason, Laura Moran, JD Pretorius, Sally Ralfe, Inge Steyn, Alex Truter, Jacqui Whyte, and Jaimie Whyte.

Please support the swimmers and CANSA by making a donation on one of their online fundraising projects. Funds raised will go towards CANSA’s care and support programmes for cancer patients and loved ones.

A few of the swimmers shared their motivation for swimming out for CANSA:

Kirsty Hyslop, “This charity is very close to my heart and even more so this year than ever before. My 2021 swim will be to raise funds for CANSA but also dedicated to my late uncle who passed away recently from cancer. We all know someone who is or has suffered from this terrible illness and without charities like CANSA some people will never get the assistance they need. It is for this reason that I will be swimming the 8 Mile Challenge at the 2021 Midmar Mile and ask you as my friends and family to donate towards my fundraising so that I can give back something to a worthy cause.”

Jaimie Whyte, “I have many friends who have fought or are fighting this tough battle and have seen firsthand how important support is for both the patient and their family and friends. CANSA ensures that cancer survivors and their loved ones don’t have to face cancer alone. 2020 was a crazy year and so many people have lost so much, that the need for donations to help this charity do their vital work to help those having an even tougher time has become more evident. I would be so grateful for any donation of any size.”

Lance Fraser, “2020 has been both an emotional, physical and financial strain on a lot of people. Unfortunately charitable organizations who rely heavily on donations have been adversely affected due to the cancellation of fund raising events, etc. I will swim the 8 MILES, all I appeal for is your generous support by way of a monetary donation. The smallest of contributions can help save a life.”

(For more information, please contact Lorraine Govender, CANSA Unit Manager KZN at email lgovender@cansa.org.za or mobile 084 240 2488.)

Published: 5 March 2021 | Last Updated: 30 April 2021
Categories: CANSA KwaZulu-Natal, Fundraising Events & Projects