Swim a mile for charity  

Returning to the majestic Eikenhof Dam at the Grabouw Country Club (Western Cape) on Sunday, 19 February 2017 the Sanlam Cape Mile has attracted the attention of a number of sporting enthusiasts who plan on swimming a mile for charity.

Vivienne Williams will be seen in action at the Sanlam Cape Mile in support of the Philippi Children’s Centre’s ‘Learn-to-Swim’ program.  “The Sanlam Cape Mile is a fabulous event,” says Williams.  “It gives people the opportunity to participate in an open water swim that is safe, warm and enjoyable.  In 2016 I took part as part of a group of 7 swimmers.  We decided to swim all 5 waves (a total of 5 miles).  The organizers were very supportive of our cause and even catered to our needs.  It was such a success that we decided to do the same in 2017.”

“Teaching swimming as a life skill is very important to me for various reasons,” continues Williams.  “We recently built a ‘learn-to-swim’ pool at the Philippi Children’s Centre.  The money that we raise from swimming the 5 miles will go towards ‘learn-to-swim’ lessons for the children that live on the farms in Philippi and towards covering the running costs of the pool.  A highlight at the 2017 Sanlam Cape Mile will be that my daughter, Robyn, will be swimming this challenge with me.   We would love to have more swimmers join our cause.  The swim waves start 45 minutes apart.  The swimmer must be able to swim each mile in under 35 minutes. This will allow him/her to cross the finish line, refuel and get back to the start line for the next swim wave start.”

Keen swimmer, Claudia Dieckmann will take part in the 2017 Sanlam Cape in support of Multiple Sclerosis South Africa (MSSA).   

“I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2011 at the age of 31,” says Dieckmann.  “Multiple sclerosis is an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system that interrupts the flow of information within the brain, and between the brain and body. Symptoms range from numbness and tingling to blindness and paralysis.  I am currently managing the disease in various ways including vitamin supplements, a healthy diet, sleep, swimming and greatly decreased stress levels.

“It has been proven that swimming is beneficial for Multiple Sclerosis due to the cool and weightless environment,” continues Dieckmann.   “I have taken part in the Sanlam Cape Mile since its inception.  It is an incredible event.  It’s well organized, safe, fun and the area is beautiful.  I hope to have at least 30 swimmers join my cause. Our goal will be to raise as much funds as possible for MSSA.  Treating and managing Multiple Sclerosis is an ongoing expensive exercise.”

EVENT INFORMATION:

Celebrating its 3^rd anniversary in 2017, entrants can choose between an exhilarating 1 mile (1.6km) and a refreshing 500m swim.

Date:	Sunday, 19 February 2017
Venue:	Eikenhof Dam, Grabouw Country Club (Western Cape)
Entry Fee:	1 mile (1.6km) / R170
	500m / R70

Follow us on Twitter:  @CapeMile

Like our Facebook page:  Cape Mile

Watch the highlights of 2016:  http://bit.ly/2bRJ8YL

To find out more about the Philippi Children’s Centre visit http://philippichildrenscentre.org/  To learn more about Multiple Sclerosis visit http://www.multiplesclerosis.co.za  For more information on the Sanlam Cape Mile please contact Stillwater Sports on email entries@stillwatersports.com or visit www.stillwatersports.com

ABOUT THE SANLAM GROUP

Sanlam is a leading financial services group listed on the JSE Limited and the Namibian Stock Exchange. Established in 1918 as a life insurance company, the South Africa-based Sanlam Group has transformed into a diversified financial services business. Through its four business clusters – Sanlam Personal Finance, Sanlam Emerging Markets, Sanlam Investments and Santam  ̶  the Group provides comprehensive and tailored financial solutions to individual and institutional clients across all market segments.

The Group’s areas of expertise include insurance, financial planning, retirement, trusts, wills, short-term insurance, asset management, risk management and capital market activities, investment and wealth. The Group operates in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Swaziland, Malawi, Zambia, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, Mozambique, India, Malaysia and the United Kingdom and has business interests in the USA, Australia and the Philippines. It has a stake in leading global micro-insurance specialists, UK-based Micro-Ensure Holdings Limited, which has a footprint across Africa and India servicing more than 10 million enrolled clients.  

Visit www.sanlam.com or follow us at @sanlam.