KZN athlete takes on gruelling challenge for children's water safety initiative
A local Olympic medalist will take on a massive challenge of travelling 902km to support a swimming and water safety programme for children with hearing difficulties.
Terence Parkin - a silver medal recipient in the 2000 Summer Olympics and now an ambassador of the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation - will cycle, swim and canoe the distance from Johannesburg to Durban to raise funds for the Deaf Children's Learn to Swim and Water Safety Programme.
Parkin, who was born deaf, says this is a step towards encouraging and ensuring that people with disabilities have equal access.
"I especially wanted to reach out to marginalised communities who do not have access to high quality sports and swimming coaches, to encourage them to go after their dreams even if they have obstacles in their way. Personally, the fact that I know sign language and am familiar with people with disabilities made me realise that I have an important role to play in communicating vital water safety information and techniques to the deaf community locally and internationally," Parkin says.
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Parkin says there's room for improvement when it comes to initiatives involving water safety in South Africa and globally.
"According to the World Health Organisation - a person drowns every 85 seconds, but drowning is unnecessary and avoidable. Awareness of the problem and the need for safety techniques, basic knowledge of first aid and how to prevent drowning incidents can save lives. Awareness doesn’t just mean swimmers only, it also applies to bystanders."
The challenge is set for 5 February and will span over five days.
To support this initiative, email [email protected], or tweet @pcmfsouthafrica.