As many of you will already know, in lockdown of 2021 I discovered my passion for all things cold. Back in January 2021 I did my first river dip and from that point I was hooked. I got pretty good at ice baths and so wanted a new challenge.That’s when the ice mile came in.

I had pretty much mastered sitting in cold water, but swimming in it is a whole other challenge. When I first embarked upon this journey I had definitely overestimated my swimming ability - when I started training in November 2022 I could barely swim 100 metres without feeling like I’d done a marathon and the idea of swimming a mile, let alone in ice cold water felt impossible. However, with the help of some amazing swimming coaches, pool and lakeside friends and the motivation of fundraising for BEAT, a charity with a cause deeply connected to my family’s heart, I have successfully swum a mile in open water, something which seemed impossible not so long ago. Now the mission is to do it faster and colder so I can complete it before severe hypothermia kicks in when I will be pulled out of the water by the safety team!

BEAT is the UK’s eating disorder charity and aims to end the pain and suffering caused by eating disorders. From my family’s own experience of supporting a loved one suffering from an eating disorder, I know firsthand the toll eating disorders take not only on the afflicted individual, but also their families. Eating disorders really do test the strength of family relationships with countless mealtime battles, wanting to say the ‘right’ thing but getting shouted at instead, seeing my daughter stop enjoying things she used to love, withdrawing from her friends and quite literally have the life sucked out of her by the evil in her mind, something which, as a parent, was heartbreaking to see.

What is particularly important to me about BEAT is their commitment to support those affected by eating disorders regardless of the state of their physical health. My daughter was fortunate to receive treatment from the local eating disorder services for anorexia a few years ago; however, the current system fails the majority as only 6% of those suffering from eating disorders are actually underweight and the current system often requires that a set of physical criteria including a certain weight are met to access specialist support. I have also learned through supporting my daughter that just because somebody may be weight restored, it does not necessarily mean that they are no longer struggling as eating disorders are not weight disorders and involve so much more than just food. BEAT embraces this understanding of these illnesses as mental disorders and works to bridge the gap in the system, striving to ensure to each person facing an eating disorder receives the care and support they need.

£108 - Provides a parent whose child is ill with regular peer support sessions for one month

£76 - Funds the supervision of five peer support volunteers to help families cope

£25 - Pays for information and posters to be displayed in schools and universities to help with early awareness and intervention

£14 - Pays for a trained Helpline advisor for an hour to provide support, guidance and advice

Any donations made, will therefore pave the way for individuals and families to access life changing support, which they may not have access to otherwise and will help BEAT continue to expand their support services and programmes across the country, as well as campaign for early support and changes to the current mental health system’s management of eating disorders.

This journey I’ve been on to swim an ice mile has been incredibly challenging but also deeply personal. In conquering the ice mile, I hope that I will be able to fundraise a substantial amount to donate to BEAT, whose cause continues to resonate deep within me and that the waves I make through my icy endeavours will serve as a testament to the resilience of those fighting eating disorders.

Follow my progress on Instagram