Greta Wilson decided that clinking a champagne glass and ‘getting more stuff’ for her birthday wasn’t what she wanted. Instead, she decided to do something bold, and managed to raise plenty of funds and food for township dogs!
Cape Town, South Africa (14 July, 2023) — In anticipation of her birthday earlier this year, Greta Wilson decided to exchange champagne clinking and gifts for a better present. Her birthday mission was to raise funds for the dogs and team at Funda Nenja, but this was no ordinary fundraiser.
Greta signed up to do multiple laps in icy waters, with low temperatures starting at 12 degrees back in May. Each swim was around 300m each, and Greta’s goal was to raise R20 000.
She managed to raise just under half the amount, she opted to dive right back into another challenge, this time at Miller’s Point where she’ll remain in the water without a wetsuit for four hours in even colder weather and waters expected to dip below 10 degrees.
Her never-say-die attitude has successfully earned R26 000 in total, with the previous R10 000 already shared with Funda Nenja and the remaining R16,040 going straight to big bags of dog food at 520,5kg!
“So glad my birthday could have meaning in a world where clinking yet another champagne glass seems the order of the day. I’d much rather have a birthday with meaning which pays things forward than getting more ‘stuff’.”—Greta Wilson.
Greta will honour her second swim today, and we commend this cold water champion not only for her bravery but her inspired determination toward this birthday mission!
Who is Funda Nenja?
Funda Nenja, a dog training initiative, runs in the township of Mpophomeni, near Howick, in the KZN Midlands of South Africa. They focus on animal welfare in the area by providing dog training lessons to the children and much-needed vaccinations for their beloved dogs.
Greta has been a loyal supporter of Funda Nenja since her visit in 2016.
Sources: Greta Wilson/BackaBuddy
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