Funds a boost for swim program

Mangawhai Beach School students are making a big splash this summer thanks to a generous grant of $425 from Variety – The Children's Charity. 

Purchased with the funds was a range of pool equipment that is being utilised in the school's Safe Swimming program.

“It is imperative for Mangawhai's children to gain water confidence as New Zealand has one of the highest OECD drowning rates in the world, coupled with the fact that Mangawhai is home to a fantastic surf beach and swift running estuary waters,” says school spokesperson Lorna Wakefield.

“The confidence and respect for water gained at the school enables the children to enjoy the beach environment, some even going on to join the Mangawhai Heads Volunteer Lifeguard Service and implementing water safety themselves.”