Dear friend,

PLEASE NOTE:

I've set up a new donation page on MyDonate as there are less charges and to get the Gift Aid too. I'll transfer all donations to date to that page. Please click this link here https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/elinagrigoriou1

Thank you for coming on here to read about this pledge. The RICS has launched #Pledge150 with the support of LandAid, to raise enough money and goods to create 150 bed spaces to stop youth from living on the streets. The pledge marks the 150th anniversary of the institution's existence as a body looking out for the public good.

As a member of the institution and living in a large city where homelessness is evident and on the rise, I am compelled to support. I have chosen to support the pledge by swimming 150 lengths of the Serpentine Lido in Hyde Park, London in January, without a wetsuit, to raise awareness and money. The current temperature of the water is 1.1C / 34F and we are only able to swim in the morning when water and air temps are at their lowest.

Why a cold swim? When people are 'living' on the streets they can't choose to not be cold.

We can bear to be cold for a bit in everyday life, and similarly we can choose to get into the cold water. When youth are homeless they can't choose to not be cold. When cold nights and winter days are here we rush to get out of the cold, they can't rush anywhere. In a world with so much good in it, this is not right.

You can support me and take part in two ways:

1. Join me for a swim (or quick dip) down at the Serpentine during January* and raise awareness of how you made a choice to get cold and be part of #Pledge150 to your own friends, connections and media channels. In addition to this awesome achievement, you could also...

2. Donate some funds or goods/services towards the creation of the 150 bed spaces. I need 150 people to sponsor one length for £33.40 each. Who will get the mid way length, which is your favourite number and who will finish it with me and swim the last length on January 31st?

(Pick a length to swim with me or sponsor or both at this schedule here https://docs.google.com/document/d/1m4ZyfxGSlONFgxHWS0Trs8pOySmmioT4mY0QTEW0DkE/edit?usp=sharing )

In the current water temperatures of 1.1C / 34F I swim 2 lengths (200m) which is very painful and, yes, cold. When one enters the water all your veins contract which is painful, when you're swimming you are fighting to catch your breath and mentally push yourself to not give way to the pain, to not stop as your hands and feet are quickly turning into blocks of ice (not much of a metaphor). When you come out of the water the ground feels very painful under your feet, and you steadily gain sensation back into your limps as your body starts shivering to warm itself up again. If I push myself more than 200m in the current temperatures the shivering can be rather strong as the body tenses itself and is, you may have the drift by now, a painful experience!**

For me to achieve the 150 lengths in January I will need to swim every morning 4.8 lengths, or more than that if I can't swim some mornings. If the water is iced over I will have to play catch-up when it has melted. (not joking) But every single morning that I choose to do this, there is one other person out there that has had to spend the whole night in those temperatures...

So please do choose to support me and come be part of this challenge. I'm looking for a friend, and friends of friends, to join me on most mornings. Everything in life is easier when shared.

Dig out those swimming costumes and those wallets and come join me to help as many youth as we can!

With love and thanks,

Elina

* Only take part in a swim or dip if you are completely healthy. You need to fill in a club guest form on the morning if you are not already a member. If you bring cake down to the club you are very likely to make new friends and be even more popular.

** Doing such an extreme activity for me is very beneficial beyond all the pain described, and can be fun. The experience gives lots of self-awareness and knowledge, in addition to experiencing the camaraderie and swimming along elegant swans. The best way for anyone to understand a little about it is to come to the lake and experience it...