I started my FB page Swimming Against Depression on Sept 11 2016 (my birthday). We are swimming in the sea 4 times a week, no wetsuits even in Winter.

Money raised will help us to raise awareness of mental health issues & ultimately set up a NATURAL HEALTH CENTRE overlooking the sea, offering holistic, alternative & complementary therapies & classes for anyone in need covering all health issues, juice/smoothie/health food bar, community support, accompanied walks & sea swims & warm changing spaces. Clients pay what they can afford or exchange by working in juice bar / cleaning etc.

What is effective can often be difficult to find & too expensive for many people.

I met some amazing people through the NHS, yet I needed more than they were able to offer. Swimming, peer support, Naturopathy & other complementary therapies have really helped me. I want to be able to offer these things to other people in need.

I have had depression on & off since i was 18. From June 2015 to July 2016 I had severe, suicidal, treatment resistant depression. I had 3 months of ECT, various medications, a hospital stay and various forms of counselling. All this was ineffective for a year.

My family & friends have been very supportive, although it has been extremely hard for them too. I have 2 young boys who have seen me suffering, this breaks my heart.

Please help me to support other people and their families who experience mental health difficulties.

Thank you.

Medical research has shown some benefits of regular cold-water swimming:

-improves patient response to the stresses which can trigger depression
-improves the production of serotonin & dopamine.
-improves libido & circulation
-helps with sleeping, probably because of the magnesium and other elements in sea-water which we absorb through our skins.
-fights infections / improves immune system
-burns calories

Although we offer guidance and support, everyone who swims with us is responsible for their own individual safety.