A Grade 5 pupil has set a new record as the youngest swimmer to complete the Robben Island crossing, surpassing her previous time.
Driven by her passion for swimming, she hopes to use this achievement to raise R50 000 for Home From Home, an organisation that supports foster children in the region.
Also read: Watch: Howard Warrington completes 200th crossing from Robben Island
Fourie is a learner at Laerskool Van Riebeeckstrand in Melkbosstrand.
On Friday, she completed the 7.4km swim from Robben Island to Blouberg Beach, accompanied by seasoned swimmer Howard Warrington.
Karli completed the swim in three hours and four minutes.
The pre-teen highlighted the Home From Home charity, for which she hoped to raise R50 000, because she felt saddened by the idea of children having to grow up without parents.
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‘I don’t feel tired and I was not scared because I knew God was with me and his angels would protect me. I feel very proud and happy’ she told IOL.
Last November, Karli broke the record for youngest swimmer to complete the crossing during a training session with Howard.
According to the child’s mother, Karli was only supposed to do a kilometre or three during the session but she continued for the entire swim.
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This was Warrington’s 206th swim and he became acquainted with Fourie through her mother, his old Comrade Marathon buddy.
‘It was a beautiful swim and I am still on a high, Karli was amazing,’ commented the seasoned swimmer.
Warrington went on to say that young people are not encouraged to undertake these swims as they are not good for the body but Karli proved to be a very brave little girl.
He concluded by saying that ‘she is going to be an Olympian and has an endurance ability which I have not yet witnessed in many adults.’
Though she has achieved her goal of R50 000, any additional funds will be appreciated.
‘Please can you open your hearts and help me to help these foster children’ asks Karli, as she reminds the public that donations can be made on the Given Gain website.
‘I don’t know you, but I saw your story on Facebook and I really admire you. What you have done in swimming is fantastic, but to do it again to help others is wonderful. Keep swimming,’ commented an inspired donor.
Also read:
Mackenzie Knott: Child activist who turned her passion into action
Picture: Given Gain
