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They say there's nothing better than a cold water dip to reinvigorate the body, and with the energy, liveliness, positivity and fun oozing from Mayobridge women Caroline Anderson and Gillian Fitzpatrick in Warrenpoint yesterday afternoon, you'd just know that they must have had more than one dip!
In fact the pair were just finishing their 31 consecutive days of dips in Carlingford Lough as part of their Dip for PIPS fundraiser throughout January. It's their third year taking part in the swims and Sandy Bottom at Warrenpoint was the location with swims at different times of the day and night.
PIPS Hope and Support based in Newry is the foremost, independent advocate in the Southern Trust, Newry, Mourne & Down Council and Upper Bann areas on all aspects of suicide, including; intervention, prevention, postvention and trauma in order to reduce and prevent suicide, self-harm and emotional & mental distress.
This year for Fitzpatrick and Anderson the time flew and the weather was kind to them throughout, especially considering the terrible wind and rain that has marred January.
Anderson said "Again the angels have watched us with the weather." Fitzpatrick added "When it was torrential rain at home it was still dry here. Earlier on today it was torrential and look at it here now, it's class."
While no doubt it will be good to have a bit of a break from the committment, the last swim also brought some sadness. Fitzpatrick said "But also it's a bit sad, because we'll not do it just as often in February. It's just a bit of a commitment but we've missed each other. Sometimes we don't see each other if we weren't swimming. and it's nice because we have met more people this year as well."
They had a couple of what they call 'cheat days' where they went in at 5 to midnight for one day and came out and then went back in again at 5 past midnight for the next day. "It was a Wolf Moon as well. It was horrendous that night at home and when we came down here it was fabulous." said Anderson.
When asked what the hardest thing about the dips were the pair joked "Thirty one days of it" but agreed that it was really making sure you've got the time to go. They would recommend cold water swimming to anyone. "You Can't know about it until you try it" The aim is just to keep safe and have your safety gear.
Their friend Margaret marked yesterday by dressing up as a Banana for her swim, something she did on the first days dip as well.
Anderson said "The purpose of this endeavor is to raise both awareness and funds for the remarkable PIPS Hope and Support charity. Throughout the entire month of January, Gillian and I have committed ourselves yet again to taking a dip in the icy waters every single day. It's a small sacrifice for us, but it will make a world of difference for this vital charity."
Fitzpatrick added " It's all for a good cause, all for PIPS and there's still time to donate. It's for Caroline to go to The Camino and it's raising funds for a very vital service in our community and in our area. It's so important. It just means that we can have more hours, there can be more services provided the more people that do fundraising. And if you know anybody out there that needs help, then you'll know it's vital."
You can support their fundraiser online at pipshopeandsupport
