My name is REEGAN TAIT, I’m 17, and I attend DURBAN HIGH SCHOOL. I swim with the WESTVILLE SWIMMING CLUB and my coach is Petro Nortje.
I like swimming and helping out others. I combine this by swimming in the 8 Mile Charity Club.
Every year at the Midmar Mile event there are 50 swimmers who take part in the 8 Mile Charity Club. The club’s main aim is to raise money, via the swimmers’ sponsors, which are then allocated to various charities in South Africa, of the sponsor’s choice. A swimmer is to complete all 8 miles – 4 events on the Saturday and 4 on the Sunday, no easy feat on its own as previous swimmers have tried and failed, even on the various individual 1 mile events. This year, however, a select few have been chosen to raise even more money for a selected charity. Usually all 8 Mile swimmers are taken to the Start, by boat – this year I will be SWIMMING to each start and then completing the Miles – thereby eventually swimming a grand total of 16 MILES, over the two days.
Whilst attempting to complete all 16 miles I would have to fight for space in the channel, kicking and shoving is a very common occurrence for me, and dodging the crowds; just like everyone else attempting to swim one Mile.
As a member of the 8 Mile Charity Club – and now this year attempting 16 Miles, each participant commits to raising a minimum of R20 000.00 for DUCT – Duzi Umngeni Conservation Trust, whose mission statement is “To champion the environmental health of the uMngeni and uMsunduzi Rivers”, with their Motto being “Healthy Rivers = Healthy People”. More information about this worthy cause can be found on the link http://www.duct.org.za. My request is simple and goes out to all Individuals and Organisations for your assistance in raising these funds. Any amount would be greatly appreciated.
Kindly contact me at scottraytait@gmail.com or on my Dad’s cell 0824444879 and I will mail you the relevant Charity Pledge Form for you to complete (name/organisation, address, donation amount etc.) and return to me along with proof of payment.
Thanking you, in anticipation
REEGAN TAIT
