This winter, national healthcare charity Sue Ryder is calling on Gloucestershire residents to take on its cold water plunge challenge, The Big Dip Cheltenham.
Returning to Sandford Parks Lido on Sunday 1 December 2024, the event sees participants jump into the pool — with the water somewhere between 5 and 10 degrees — to help raise money for the charity, which provides compassionate end-of-life care and grief support in Gloucestershire via the Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice.
One 'brrr-ave' dipper preparing to take the plunge — for the third year running — is Helen Hopkins from Gloucester.
Helen is completing The Big Dip in honour of her husband, Dan, who was cared for at Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice for about two weeks, before he died in July 2018.
With the hospice becoming a second home for her family during this time, Helen said: 'My son was only nine months old when his dad passed away, so when he came to the hospice with us, the nurses would look after him.
'They gave me back my job of being his wife, as opposed to being a carer. The staff were amazing and the support after Dan died was brilliant too. I continue to sing their praises.'
This year, she hopes to inspire more people to join the challenge or donate to the cause.
She continued: 'There are hundreds of people at the event and even though you may not know everyone, they are so supportive and always smile and ask if you’re alright. Some of the Sue Ryder nurses take part and other staff and volunteers do it too. Father Christmas comes along and he’s amazing.'
Not only is there chance to meet Santa, but Christmas carols, festive music from the Musicality Community Choir, a warm-up Zumba lesson and hot drinks to offset the chill, too!
Registration costs £10 with a £50 fundraising target, with an exclusive Sue Ryder beanie hat for the first 150 fundraisers who reach this goal.
To sign up, visit sueryder.org/BigDipCheltenham, or contact the Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice fundraising team at leckhampton.fundraising@sueryder.org or on (01242) 246285.
