Swimming for a worthy cause
Liesl Ah Shene
RETIRED minister Dick Hill of Sunridge Park will be swimming 3km over three days to raise funds for the Westering Methodist Church.
This feat came about after the church started a fundraising initiative called the I Can Campaign.
Members of the congregation were given a soda can and told once they had finished drinking it they would have enough energy to fill the can with money by raising funds.
Hill will attempt to swim 1km, 20 lengths of an Olympic-size pool, on April 4, 8 and 9 to make up his 3km.
This is not the first time the 81-year-old is using his love for swimming to do good.
While living in England on his 77th birthday, Hill went the extra mile by swimming 32 lengths of an Olympic-size pool to raise money for the Lakenheath Methodist Church.
Hill taught himself how to swim at the age of 11.
Although initially keen on diving – because he didn't know how to swim – it was a frightening experience.
He then later got involved with the scouts and took part in the scouts galas.
"I got back into swimming when I served as chaplain in the British forces eight years ago and was told to get fit."
Hill says it is important to use your talents because "if you don't use it, you lose it".
"I believe everybody can do something," Hill says.
"It doesn't matter how big or small or how insignificant it might seem. Your talent and contributions are important."
"Everybody can do something. It doesn't matter what the size of the gift is. It's what you do with it.
"You only have one life. Give it a go."