Castletown fundraising duo 'blown away' by support for 100 dips in 100 days
Two Castletown women who took the plunge in seas and lochs every day for more than three months say they have been blown away by the support they have received.
Claire McGovern and Amy Sutherland set themselves the task of having 100 dips in 100 days to raise money for two good causes and they completed the challenge on Saturday, albeit hundreds of miles apart.
Claire took her swim in Loch Lomond – after climbing Ben Arthur, otherwise known as the Cobbler, earlier in the day.
Amy had her 100th dip much closer to home, at Dunnet beach, where she was among a group of almost 40 people taking to the water.
The pair resolved to swim on 100 consecutive days in aid of the Captain Tom Foundation and Macmillan Cancer Support, starting on April 30. True to their word, they took a dip at many locations in Caithness and beyond and have raised more than £2000 with Gift Aid included.
Amy (42) had plenty of company when she entered the sea at Dunnet on Saturday evening.
“Loads of people came along," she said. "I was delighted. I think there were 38 of us in the water.”
After setting out on the challenge, she and Claire made sure they didn't go a day without a dip.
“We had to find a point in every day where we could go down. You can always fit it in," Amy said.
“I think one time I went down about half-past nine at night. I thought, 'Oh my gosh, I haven't been in yet, I've been at work and it's getting later,' so I just ran down to the beach with the dog, had a wee swim and then home, so it was fine.
“The first week was really tough. The water was really quite cold, but it feels good now.
“Some mornings we met down at the beach and we were just looking at each other through the rain and wind and going, 'Okay, let's just do it...'
“But predominantly it was nice. We've been really lucky, actually.”
Amy was delighted with the amount they raised, saying: “We never expected that.
“It was a fun thing, something a bit more lightsome than all the Covid stuff that has been going on.”
Amy is pleased to see wild swimming becoming such a popular activity in Caithness.
“There are so many people that go in the water now," she said. "It's such a huge thing, the wild swimming. There are some people who swim the whole year round. It's just amazing.”
Claire (37) said: “It was more a relief that the pressure was off, with it being documented online – it was just constant.
“But it was nice to have the challenge of the 100 days. The money side of it has really blown us away."
The fundraising challenge may be over but Claire and Amy will still be enjoying the water.
“It's definitely good for you," Claire said. "It's just a release. When you've been in the sea it just lifts your mood and boosts you a wee bit and sets you up for the day.
"There were a few days when we really needed each other, just to get it done. But a lot of people joined in along the way as well.
"It has been a big motivator for us and for other people who have joined us, definitely."
