Keeping hope afloat

Swimmers dove in heart-first to raise money for cancer treatment during the 14th annual Swim for Hope.

The Northern Lights Swim Club (NLSC) took part in the 12-hour relay March 19 along with 12 other clubs from Swimming Newfoundland and Labrador.

According to Wannetta Hynes, Swim for Hope organizer, the NLSC raised $6,300, surpassing the group's $5,000 goal.

Over 40 kids from the NLSC hit the pool at the Mike Adam Recreation Complex in Wabush at 6:30 p.m. with the ambition of swimming 5,000 meters by 2 a.m.

Hynes explained games were set up for the kids to play once they got out of the water and food was provided by Subway.

The Swim NL website explains half of the money raised will go to the local swim clubs and the other half will be donated to the Dr. H. Bliss Murphy Cancer Care Foundation, which funds the care and treatment of cancer patients and their families in Newfoundland and Labrador. That includes funding for the Dr. H. Bliss Murphy Cancer Centre in St. John's, as well as local cancer treatment facilities across the province.

"It's such a good cause," said Hynes. "The kids get really excited about it. They go door-to-door for about a month to raise money and they know it goes to a good cause."

The kids participating got pledge sheets with the goal to raise at least $50 to get a T-shirt, she informed, and once during the campaign the group had a community blitz where members tried to canvass everyone door-to-door.

She said the club had an excellent response from the community, as well as good support from corporate businesses, including Aliant who donated up to $5,000 across the island, and Hynes would like to thank everyone who supported the effort.