LOCHMABEN lass Georgia Bell has made a big splash with her fundraising efforts, raising £2300 for Young Lives vs Cancer.
The 33-year-old took the plunge into lochs locally every day throughout December to fundraise for the charity which supports children and young people navigate the emotional and practical impact of cancer diagnosis.
Nursery worker Georgia was inspired to take up the chilly challenge after seeing a similar fundraiser on social media. She wanted to have a go having already done some cold water swimming earlier in the year.
She said: “I had done a bit of cold water swimming in the summer so I knew it was something I could do. And I know a couple of local people who have a grandchild going through treatment so I wanted to do something for them as well.”
She braved daily dips, each lasting for three minutes, and rotated around the burgh’s three lochs, usually accompanied by a cheering section of friends and family to take the sting out of the frigid waters. Georgia added: “Everyone was really supportive, I really wasn’t expecting to raise so much money, a couple of hundred maybe, but they’ve all got behind me and helped me through, it was amazing.
“It did get a little harder towards the end but it really helped take my mind off how cold I was if I had someone there to chat to, so thanks to my granny for coming with me and being my number one supporter, to the kids at Jaybee’s, where I work, who came down to cheer me on too; and my brother-in-law who came in with me on Christmas Day.”