Vivienne Williams will be seen in action at the Sanlam Cape Mile in support of the Philippi Children’s Centre’s ‘Learn-to-Swim’ programme. “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 seven swimmers. We decided to swim all five waves (a total of five miles). The organisers 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 five 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 Mile 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 organised, 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.”

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