Northland Learn2Swim Fund

The Northland Learn2Swim Fund was created to honour the legacy of Ester Keesing-Styles, who founded the Okau Amateur Swimming Club in 1969 to offer swimming lessons to local children. When she passed away  in 1997, Ester bequeathed funds to the club, with the intention of the club continuing the swimming lessons. Heather Atkins and Shirley Gray, members of the club at the time, were able to continue the delivery of lessons; charging a minimal fee and targeting those families that could not afford the mainstream learn-to-swim lessons. However, when both Shirley and Heather retired from the Club, they wanted to ensure Ester’s dream lived on. In 2021, they partnered with the Northland Community Foundation and transferred the residual funds from the club, along with a substantial donation from Heather, to establish a Learn2Swim Fund.

“Both Shirley and I are extremely grateful to the Northland Community Foundation for providing the vehicle for Ester’s vision to live on into the future”, says Heather. “With the dis-establishment of the club we did not know how the service that we provided for so many years was going continue, so to have the Foundation’s help is fantastic – it's great that Ester’s legacy will live on forever”.

The fund is invested through Craigs Investment Partners, ensuring that the interest earned can support the delivery of affordable swimming and water safety lessons, and preserving Ester's vision for future generations. By donating to the Northland Learn2Swim Fund, you can help more children learn vital water safety skills, so they can stay fit and healthy and enjoy Te Tai Tokerau's many rivers, lakes and beaches.