14 hardy CCPA souls braved the chilly 5 degree waters at beautiful Whitmore Lakes, raising over £600 to support the families of children with cancer.
The event was the first of its kind for the charity but after this success, CCPA plan to create a similar event in the Summer.
Organised by CCPA Fundraising and Engagement Lead and first-time cold swimmer, Sian Brown said: “We were so lucky to have bright sunshine on the day but stepping into the cold water was definitely a challenge. I am so proud of myself for taking part and also really proud of everyone for being so brave!”
All swimmers were guided by Ally Bell, an experienced Wild Swimmer and qualified paramedic who kept everyone safe and once everyone had completed their ‘chilly dip’ they joined family and friends in the ‘Cake Shack’ café for warm drinks, hearty breakfasts and homemade cakes. Customers and staff also participated in a raffle to raise further funds.
CCPA CEO Rachael also joined in the dip and said: “I love cold water swimming at Whitmore Lakes and have been going since they opened in 2024 but this was the lowest temperature that I have EVER experienced! Even so, I found the event really enjoyable, and it was great to see three of our CCPA families take part on the day and also to show people who have not tried it before all the benefits of cold water swimming. Raising funds this way is an absolute joy and some of our swimmers are ready to sign up already for our next dip at Whitmore Lakes!”
If you wish to add to their fundraising total you can visit our JustGiving page.
You can listen to Sian and Rachael’s BBC Radio Stoke interview about the event.
Let us know if you wish to take part in our next cold water swim or other events by contacting Sian and keep an eye on our Events Page
