A big splash for Nepal
View(s):In an extraordinary display of solidarity and support for a neighbouring country in need, 74 young Sri Lankan swimmers raised funds through the Swim for Nepal Challenge for relief efforts following the devastating April earthquake. The participants, both boys and girls hailing from many different schools in Colombo, pledged to swim a certain distance at the Challenge and persuaded friends and relatives, and even strangers, to sponsor their swimming efforts.
Doing their bit: The children rise to the challenge
The youngsters gathered on Tuesday, July 14 at the pool of the Nondescripts Cricket Club (NCC) on Maitland Place in Colombo 7 for the Challenge organized by the Aqua Kids Swim School run by Teruni Corea Bluck, ably supported by the Rainbow Academy, owned by former Sri Lankan Olympic swimmer Julian Bolling. Swimming coaches from Aqua Kids and the Rainbow Academy were on hand to ensure the safety of the swimmers.
Between them, the 74 swimmers covered 59 kilometres that morning, a remarkable distance considering the young age of the participants. The youngest, just five years old, swam 1.2 kilometres, although he had pledged to swim only a few lengths. Most of the other swimmers also swam far more than they had pledged to do. The oldest was a lady expatriate who swam 1 km.
“When it comes to a disaster like the Nepal earthquake, every little bit of help counts, and these youngsters showed extraordinary initiative and imagination,” said Teruni Corea Bluck. “The methods used by the individual participants to raise funds were as diverse as they were ingenious. Some relied on the old style Boy Scout method of going around their neighbourhoods and phoning friends and relatives to ask for sponsorships. Others used modern technology to spread the word such as messages on Facebook, WhatsApp and SMSs, to their friends and relatives, and their parents’ networks of friends.”
Participants included large groups from the British School in Colombo and the Elizabeth Moir School.
“The inspiration for the Challenge came from a young Sri Lankan, Akash Sellamuttu, currently living in Laos where his parents work, who was involved in raising funds through a similar swimming exercise organized by the Vientiane International School,” explained Teruni.
Funding for individual swimmers ranged from a couple of thousand rupees to tens of thousands, demonstrating the largesse of Colombo society when it is called upon in the right spirit. Prior to the swim, participants were shown a video of the devastation caused by the Nepal earthquake, and were addressed by several Nepalese citizens living in Sri Lanka who thanked them for their support.
The funds were channelled to Nepal through the Disasters Emergency Committee of the United Kingdom (www.dec.org.uk), a conglomerate of 13 leading UK charities which have worked together since 1963 to provide relief during international disasters.