{"id":46868,"date":"2023-06-30T14:48:59","date_gmt":"2023-06-30T12:48:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/firefighter-raises-funds-for-tharros-family-centre-20230628\/"},"modified":"2025-03-13T16:04:58","modified_gmt":"2025-03-13T14:04:58","slug":"firefighter-raises-funds-for-tharros-family-centre-20230628","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/firefighter-raises-funds-for-tharros-family-centre-20230628\/","title":{"rendered":"Firefighter raises funds for Th\u00e1rros Family Centre"},"content":{"rendered":"

After completing a gruelling three hour and 12 minute swim along the Robben Island Crossing on June 6, Cape Town-based firefighter Oliver Sampson managed to raise over R11 000 for the children at Th\u00e1rros Family Centre.<\/p>\n

As previously reported by <\/strong><\/a>Kouga Express<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/span>, after learning about the trauma experienced by the children at Th\u00e1rros Family Centre, which provides temporary safe care for children in need in Hankey and surrounding areas, Sampson wanted to make a difference.<\/p>\n

He then decided to embark on the Robben Island Crossing, to raise funds for the children at the centre.<\/p>\n

Finally, after training for months, on June 6 at 14:00 Sampson began swimming towards Big Bay and was able to complete the swim in three hours and 12 minutes.<\/p>\n

\n
\"\"<\/p>\n
Oliver Sampson completed the Robben Island Crossing to raise funds for Th\u00e1rros Family Centre. Photos: SUPPLIED<\/div>\n
<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

He said that completing the Robben Island Crossing was the most amazing experience he has encountered.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll my training came together perfectly, and the swim went better than anticipated,\u201d said Oliver.<\/p>\n

Thankfully, he said that he was blessed with a beautiful, flat and open sea.<\/p>\n

\u201cI knew it would be hard, but I was well prepared. What kept me motivated during my swim was the reason I was doing it,\u201d said Oliver.<\/p>\n

He said that he was overwhelmed by the tremendous support from family, friends and colleagues who were there to cheer him on as he neared the end of his swim.<\/p>\n

Oliver said that he was determined to complete the swim, so when he did, he felt relieved.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Robben Island swim can be very unpredictable and even professional swimmers have come in short and not finished because of the turn in conditions during their swim. I also knew that I had a huge responsibility on my shoulders, literally and figuratively, to finish for Th\u00e1rros,\u201d said Oliver.<\/p>\n

Despite hoping to raise funds for the centre, he said that the swim was to raise funds for one specific boy whom he refers to as \u201clittle star\u201d.<\/p>\n

When becoming familiar with Th\u00e1rros and the challenges they faced, Oliver learnt about \u201clittle star\u201d, an 11-year-old boy who fell from a tree and hurt his head when he was nine.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, he did not receive the correct medical treatment and has developed a learning disability.<\/p>\n

By completing the swim, Oliver was able to raise R11 838 for the young boy, and in turn help Th\u00e1rros with their financial needs.<\/p>\n

\u201cWithout my heavenly Father, none of this would have been possible. I would therefore like to thank Him for giving me the strength and perseverance to finish the swim,\u201d said Oliver.<\/p>\n

He further said that he would like to thank Howard Warrington and his wife, Elmarie, who were his back-up safety in the water, Darren Willard from Big Bay Lifesaving for skippering his support boat, and crewman, Bertus Campher, who made sure he received his nutrition on time during the swim.<\/p>\n

Oliver said that he would also like to thank each person who contributed towards his fundraising efforts.<\/p>\n

He said that his next goal will be to do a double crossing in 2024, which will see him swim to Robben Island and back again.<\/p>\n

Founder of Th\u00e1rros Family Centre, Taise Sampson, said that the money raised was a huge help towards the nurturing care of \u201clittle star\u201d.<\/p>\n

She said that it costs approximately R200 per day to ensure that their TEN10 Care Plan is effective, which includes therapeutic, educational, and nurturing care.<\/p>\n

\u201cLittle star has very specific needs related to his childhood trauma that requires intensive therapy and an above average referral rate to external professionals,\u201d said Taise.<\/p>\n

Like many charities in South Africa, she said that they live in financial uncertainty each month, which is a stressful state to be in, however the services they offer to the children at the centre is important.<\/p>\n

Taise said that she would like to see more individuals and businesses become champions to charities close to their hearts.<\/p>\n

\u201cHaving a champion choose our organisation as a cause is heartwarming. We feel so encouraged, grateful and special. It\u2019s also extra funds that we did not budget for which is an amazing gift to any NGO,\u201d said Taise.<\/p>\n

\n
\"\"<\/p>\n
Oliver Sampson was able to raise R11 838 in aid of Th\u00e1rros Family Centre.<\/div>\n
<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\"\"<\/p>\n
Oliver Sampson and his niece Tyla Lakay. Photo: SUPPLIED<\/div>\n
<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

After completing a gruelling three hour and 12 minute swim along the Robben Island Crossing on June 6, Cape Town-based firefighter Oliver Sampson managed to raise over R11 000 for the children at Th\u00e1rros Family 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raises funds for Th\u00e1rros Family Centre | Kouga Express<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/firefighter-raises-funds-for-tharros-family-centre-20230628\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Firefighter raises funds for Th\u00e1rros Family Centre\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"After completing a gruelling three hour and 12 minute swim along the Robben Island Crossing on June 6, Cape Town-based firefighter Oliver Sampson managed to raise over R11 000 for the children at Th\u00e1rros Family Centre.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/firefighter-raises-funds-for-tharros-family-centre-20230628\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Kouga 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