Derbyshire Mind’s cold-water bathing at Mercia Marina
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.
Derbyshire Mind chief executive Jenny Hotchkiss and her team of trustees decided that at a time when so many with mental health problems faced 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’.
The charity raised £2520 in total with £170 raised on the day and donations still coming in.
Mercia Marina proved the perfect venue with bracing open water views and the bandstand event space as the ‘ice’ing on the cake. 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 commented: “The challenge was very much mind over matter, but nothing compared to those we know who have experienced really difficult times with their mental health and well-being. We actually got a lot out of the experience and the team are already thinking of the next challenge they will undertake.”
Mercia Marina has 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 also working with Willington Parish Council and the 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.