Cold water bathing at Mercia Marina
MERCIA Marina proved the perfect venue for Derbyshire Mind’s cold water bathing.
The importance of maintaining good mental health has never been more vital with the pandemic causing isolation, anxiety and uncertainty at a time when family, friends and care givers were unable to offer their usual support.
Supporting mental health
Derbyshire Mind is a charity that listens for the unheard voices, supporting mental health and wellbeing by providing services for those who reach out. Derbyshire Mind.
Chief Executive Jenny Hotchkiss and her team of trustees, Sally, Lisa and Sarah, decided that at a time when so many with mental health problems face the cold shoulder, they would accept a bitterly cold challenge to raise funds and awareness by doing the ice bath challenge popularised by Wim Hof, the Dutch extreme athlete nicknamed 'The Iceman'.
Mercia Marina proved the perfect venue with bracing open water views and the bandstand event space as the 'ice'ing on the cake.
Spirits were high
Kevin O'Neil of Breatheolution who specialises in therapy from cold exposure was coaching and Milan of MH Fitness Derby helped with ‘warm up’ exercises once they left the cold depths. The Ice Bath Company kindly donated and managed the ice bath, and the freezing weather conditions did the rest. Despite the cold and dampness of the day, spirits were high.
Each challenger prepared themselves with weeks of physical and mental training before sinking into the icy depths. Knowing that every second they stayed in was earning more donations from the crowd, they remained in the ice for up to seven shivering minutes.
Jenny Hotchkiss, Derbyshire Mind’s Chief Executive, commented:
Mind over matter
"The challenge was very much mind over matter. It was exhilarating! Challenging but nothing compared to those we know who have experienced really difficult times with their mental health and wellbeing. We actually got a lot out of the experience and the team are already thinking of the next challenge they will undertake”
The charity raised an astounding £2,520 in total with £170 raised on the day, with donations still coming in!
Mercia recognise the importance of good mental health and have many initiatives in place not only to support people who are affected but also to improve everyone’s mental health. This ranges from Walk Talk Buddies and support groups to training for volunteer first aiders as well as support from mental health nurses and counsellors.
The marina is even working with Willington Parish Council and Canal & River Trust to create a wellness wood in memory of a well-loved villager who did not survive his battle with poor mental health.