Determined to make a difference in the lives of the children at Thárros Family Centre in Hankey, Cape Town-based firefighter, Oliver Sampson, will be swimming the Robben Island Crossing to raise funds for the charity organisation.
Learning about the trauma experienced by the children at Thárros Family Centre, which provides temporary safe care for children in need in Hankey and surrounding areas, Sampson wanted to make a difference.
He said that through his work as a firefighter he has seen many children go through horrific experiences when losing their homes and loved ones in devastating fires.
Sampson said that in many cases these children do not have homes or families to go to, and are left homeless.
Since part of Thárros was engulfed in flames in 2021, he was further prompted to help the centre.
“Having experienced many fires as a firefighter and learning about the fire that damaged these little stars’ temporary home, I can only imagine what they must have gone through,” said Sampson.
He said he wanted to make a difference to the centre, as organisations such as Thárros Family Centre are often overlooked as they are not based in one of the major cities.
Inspired by his niece, Tyla Lakay, who raised funds for families in need during the COVID-19 lockdown by swimming the Robben Island Crossing at the tender age of 15, Sampson said that he decided to do the same and raise funds for the children at the centre.
Despite hoping to raise funds for the centre, he said that this swim would be to raise funds for one specific boy whom he refers to as “little star”.
Since he has family staying in Jeffreys Bay, Sampson is familiar with the centre in Hankey and, after speaking to Taise Sampson who is the founder of Thárros Family Centre, he learnt about an 11-year-old boy who fell from a tree and hurt his head when he was nine years old.
Unfortunately, he did not receive the correct medical treatment and has developed a learning disability.
Sampson said that the little boy’s mother has not been able to take care of him and he joined Thárros four months ago.
He is expected to continue staying at the centre for the next three months.
Sampson said that it costs about R4 000 a month to care for one child at the centre, and he is therefore hoping to raise a total of R30 000 to cover the little boy’s stay.
“My fundraising effort is to cover the cost for the time he has been at Thárros, and the time he might still be there which could potentially become longer,” said Sampson.
“By raising funds for this little star, the Thárros Family Centre will be directly impacted.”
Sampson said that as part of his fundraising efforts he would be swimming the Robben Island Crossing, which measures 7.5km and he hoped to complete the swim in three hours and 30 minutes.
He said that the swim would be done during the coldest time of the year, with temperatures dropping below 11 degrees Celsius.
Since safety during his swim across Robben Island is of utmost importance, Sampson said that the date of his swim would be determined by a skipper, and would most likely take place between June 3 and June 11.
“By doing this swim I hope to raise funds for the centre to give these little stars the care and nurture they need,” said Sampson.
For more information or to donate to the fundraising initiative visit the BackaBuddy link https://www.backabuddy.co.za/swim-for-hope-2023.
