Hello friends.

I set an intention to swim or dip in the great outdoors every day in January to support “RED January 2019”, for the charity MIND. As I live in Cumbria this was to be in an icy frozen tarn up high in the mountains to a pebbled windy seashore. I raised 3k that month (thank you so much!) and now it’s February and I’m still going - the ice is harder to find and I’m not swimming every day - but so long as there is ice to find - I’ll be there - and keep this page open until all the ice spots have gone ❄️

There are huge mental health benefits to be gained from getting active outside, for a walk or a run or a wee dip - and the RED campaign hopes to hilight this.

I have come to embrace cold water exposure and have come to witness first hand how amazing it is for mental health (amongst a whole host of other amazing things way to long to list here!) and since moving to the Lakes have loved the camaraderie of the swimmers here. 

Although being outside is great, we all know the weather can sometimes be a wee bit ghastly, so on the days when it’s wild and stormy and I’d rather be inside with a cuppa, Charlie and a fire, I know your support will push me on and every penny raised will go to straight to MIND. 

Thank you for your support and please join me for a dip if you feel so compelled! 

You can follow my RED dips on Instagram under my name if you want to follow my progress.  

See this wee film too with partners Sidetracked about my swims!

https://www.sidetracked.com/fieldjournal/floe-state-of-mind/

Gilly  x

Photo credit - http://www.jameskirby.me.uk/photography/