Parents of 14-year-old multi-medalist swimmer, Sarah McLaren, from the Berea, are appealing to the Durban community and surrounds to assist them in raising funds for their daughter who will be travelling to Ghana in two weeks’ time to compete in the Cana African Swimming Championships.
Lee-Ann McLaren, Sarah’s mother, said she joined crowd-funding platform Back-a-buddy to raise enough money for her daughter’s trip, which amounts to R20 000. Due to financial constraints, Lee-Ann cannot afford to fund the trip. “Sarah’s passionate about swimming and her hard work and dedication resulted in her being selected. She obtained her SA swimming colours after she started swimming from the age of nine as part of the Seagulls Swimming Club under the guidance of her coach, Debbie McLoed,” added the mother.
She said from the age of 10, Sarah, a Durban Girls’ College Grade 8 learner, rose in the ranks steadily and has competed at high levels including the SA Short Course Champs and SA Junior National Champs, where she finished top of her age group. “She ranked number one in her age group for the same event as SA’s gold medalist, Tatjana Schoenmaker, won in the recent Olympics, which makes me very proud. What makes me even more proud as a parent is that Sarah not only excels in all her sports, but has consistently achieved A+ academically. She’s a remarkable ambassador for the sport and her generation,” said Lee-Ann. Sarah told Tabloid Newspapers that her selection meant a lot to her, especially after the years of training she has undergone. “Ever since the age of nine, I watched all the other South African swimmers on TV, setting myself a goal to be like them one day. This feels like a first step in the right direction. I am getting closer to achieving my goal of taking part in the next Olympic Games in Paris in 2024 and making not only my family, but also my country proud.”
She said having the support from her parents has always been an inspiration and knowing that they have gone the extra mile to raise funds for her to go to CANA inspires her even more. Sarah thanked everyone who donated towards her trip. “I genuinely appreciate and thank everyone who has supported me. I know it’s not easy to just give money to someone you sometimes do not even know, it really means a lot. The support has just been amazing,” she added. Sarah currently ranks number one in the country for the 400 metre, 200 Butterfly and 200 metre Breaststroke. She said she looks up to Schoenmaker, and wishes that one day she will return to SA with a gold medal like her role model. McLaren said she may not be leaving with her daughter, however, if they are able to raise more than what they already need for the trip, she would love to go and give Sarah support. To support Sarah, visit the Back-a-Buddy website or follow the link: www.backabuddy.co.za/sarahmclaren.
