We are taking the plunge in the icy waters of the Irish Sea on Sunday 22nd December for Stephen and for every one of the thousands of people in Ireland who suffer with mental health problems.  

It's good to do something that you are afraid of, and swimming in the Irish sea on a cold December morning is certainly something that scares us. The fear of facing the cold water will be worth it if it means we can raise awareness of mental health problems in Ireland and although it will be a challenge, we know it does not compare to the huge challenges Stephen faced every day. Swimming and exercise in general had such a positive impact on Stephen's life. It challenged him, gave him a real sense of achievement and made him feel like he could take on anything. We hope that the cold sea will give us the same rush of adrenaline and wash away our worries with the tide, even if it's only a temporary relief. And if that fails, we think Stephen would just get a good laugh at the sight of us all running into the sea on the Burrow Beach in December.

By holding this event just before Christmas, we want to remind people to look after their own mental health but also to be aware that at this time of the year many others around us are struggling with anxiety, depression and loneliness and often feel like they don't have anyone to turn to. We hope this sea swim will be a place where people in the community can come together for some fun and warm drinks but also to be there for one another at a time when things can be very hectic and consumer-driven. Finally, we want this event to be a celebration of Stephen's life with all his friends and family, on the beach that he grew up on and was one of his favourite places for walking with his dogs, chatting with friends and listening to music. 

Thanks for taking the time to visit our JustGiving page and we look forward to seeing you on Burrow Beach on the 22nd December.

Where: On the Burrow Beach, Sutton, near to the Hole in the Wall entrance.

When: Meet at 10 am, swim at approximately 10.30. (Time might slightly change once we have full tide details the week before)

Afters: Suttonians Rugby Club for well deserved hot drinks and chats by the fire.

What to bring along: swimming attire, towel and warm clothes.