Hello troopsies. Suzy Rook here

As you may or not know, I had a large mass on my neck for a few years since finding this in my last pregnancy. This was checked and scanned on various occasions since 2019. During Covid and after it wasn’t felt it was anything sinister. As this got bigger and bigger as time went on, it was then decided that it had to be removed from my neck/throat on the 1st of September 2025. This was a massive operation, leaving a 7 inch scar across my throat. (Good story starter tho hey) . I had difficulty breathing and was feeling like I was choking and hoarse all the time. The lump was fairly significant and was impacting my health .She was called “mary doll”. Unfortunately 6 weeks after the surgery I found that the 10’cm “mary doll” was cancer. What a shock let me let you that. The recovery was grim , but as they say ! “Ya Cani keep a geed woman doon”.

Since I’ve been allowed to, I’ve been back in the cold water and training in my recovery. Using cold water and my Swim Queens and rugby team as support . It’s been six months now , so why not swim in the Arctic? Madness ! But why not.

Finding out I had cancer has been really difficult. But what is worse is not living life to the full. I assure you I will be doing this now. I want to raise awareness that people under 40 can get cancer & mental health awareness. I’ve had a rough 5 years. I strongly believe the stress and trauma tells on your body and mind eventually. We need to focus on wellness and wellbeing & being happy. Cancer was the last straw for me after increased heartache and struggles. After retiring from international rugby and becoming a mummy . Life has been tough. It’s only looking back you see how far you have come. I need to learn to try take it slightly easier for a while, which is difficult for this tornado. My focus is on wellbeing and no more stress if I can help it. I am strong and confident that I can be ok. I honestly felt that I couldn’t take much more difficult times or situations. My family , the rugby and cold swim family have helped no end. This has been another trauma and difficultly and I may be down , but I’m not out. I have really struggled to navigate this im not going to sugar coat it. Having 3 very young children and being young makes it seem so much scarier, as it’s not just you this impacts.

Suicide awareness and support for mental health is so important. At the time of cancer diagnosis I was already trying to navigate the loss of a dear life friend in December 2024 to cancer. This lady was like a 2nd mum to me. Life without her was extremely tough. We lost her to cancer , then came my turn more months later. This broke my heart yet again. Lots of people are going through this heartbreaking time. It’s just so sad.

Cancer! One of the most awful illnesses someone can get. My dear neighbour was also on the same journey and the C word was becoming all encompassing. Sadly she has passed now early 2026. So as you can imagine things are very heavy and tough.

The mind can only cope with so much & mine was beginning to struggle in about the January 2026 . I decided to set myself a challenge. Thats just what I do. The ADHD impulses help . So I accepted the challenge to swim in the Arctic & here we are. Il swim in a swimsuit for 1 km in sub 5 degree with only a swim cap, googles and a swim suit (cold water swimmers call this skins only) . This is in front of a glacier in Svalbard, Arctic.

As a professional in social care and as a sports person , I knew that support was there and how to get it. I knew how I was feeling was normal , however not everyone is as lucky. I see you and I hear you . You are never on your own. Ask for help and support. Also do not leave anything that does not feel right. You are important and you are enough

Never ever feel that you don’t have anyone as you do. There is help out there. Back onside are amazing and other charities for mental health. Be brave if you can and reach out. Speak to your GP, a stranger, online, someone. You are amazing and your life is worth the fight.

My physical recovery has been going well and I’m delighted to be all clear of cancer. My mind has struggled and likely will for sometime as I process yet another huge trauma and life changing event.

Anyway enough of the backstory , let’s get to business

As a celebration of overcoming this and many other struggles, I’ve set myself some amazing life changing challenges in recovery. Over the last 8-10 years my mental health has taken an absolute beating. Like most folk in life I’ve had an influx of trauma, difficulties, losses of close family and friends , with an extremely difficult loss by suicide of one of my 30 year old female friends. In times of struggle I’ve leaned on cold water swimming as part of a wellbeing routine. I have always wild swam since a child but not each day.

After Covid in 2020 I started to use this as part of an intensional weekly scaffolding to help me and here I am today .

The daily cold water challenge started in November 2025 once my neck wound had healed enough to get back in and I’m currently on day 166 of a ten/twenty minute daily immersion/swim.

In Scotland the water sits between 0-10 degrees from December to about May so training will be fairly easy to access for my North Pole adventure. Swimming in the sea, lochs and waterfalls daily.

As a result of being accepted to complete a polar ice swim In the artic in June 2026, I will now be extending the daily dip/dook and swim for another six months to enable me to do acclimatisation training.

My 3 young children don’t know about my short illness, as we wanted to save them that worry. I am doing ok. I have good and bad days as you can expect. My recovery is going wellI. I am strong & il believe I will be ok. I’ve tried to keep a positive mental attitude throughout. It doesn’t mean I’m not scared or worried but I want to focus on being well and having no regrets. Love and live your life. I want to strongly advocate that it’s ok to not be ok during difficult times or traumatic times. It’s been alot to navigate. Get in that cold water , it’s a game changer

As a keen wild swimmer , adventurer, who needs to be outside , I decided to give myself a positive focus at the moment. So here we are. Ironically I started my cold water journey in 2021 with a 30 day cancer fundraiser. We really don’t know what’s round the corner. Thanks for all your support. Down but not out 🦋🩷 🧠

Why mental health ?

I’ve decided that during my recovery & journey. I needed to stay focused and well. Being off sick from work intitally I needed the structure and routine of being out of my own head outside and in the water . I’ve put alot of work into mental wellness and wellbeing and this will be no different. I’d like to raise much needed funds for this amazing charity. Cold water is a life line and can get you through anything. During this period I want to make sure I stay mentally focused and strong . I’m using cold water therapy as a scaffolding for each day. I will dip , dook or swim each day until the end of May prior to the ice mile/in June 2026, through the gruelling winter as I know this will drive me well in my journey . Love yas always , over and out. Follow me on Facebook, instagram or TikTok for daily updates if you dare

#BOSH🩷🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🥶🐻‍❄️🩷

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.