Jump in with the Crisis Icebreaker challenge

31st October, 2019

When those of us who swim through the winter plunge into icy cold water, we do so safe in the knowledge that we’ll have somewhere to warm up afterwards. But for the thousands of homeless people across the UK, winter is a truly bleak prospect and for many there is no respite from the cold.

To raise funds for vital homelessness support services, Crisis organises a series of Icebreaker events in December and January. The events have been running since 2012, previously as the Midwinter Swim and have raised more than £162,000 to date.

There are three Icebreaker events planned in London at Brockwell, Tooting Bec and Parliament Hill lido, as well as events at The National Lido of Wales and Clevedon Marine Lake in Bristol. Each event offers the option of a solo swim (generally one width of the pool) or a relay (teams of four doing a width each).

The registration fee varies across the events, but will be used to provide services including food, counselling and healthcare advice. Participants are also encouraged to raise extra money through sponsorship and there is also the option of organising your own icebreaker event in an unheated body of water of your choice.

Jon Sparkes, Chief Executive of Crisis, said: “The Crisis Icebreaker challenge is an opportunity to take a solo icy plunge or make a big splash with your friends to help raise money and fund our vital work to end homelessness. Everyone in our society deserves a safe and stable home. But right now, many thousands of people are denied this basic human need. Face the freeze this winter and help us support a person who is homeless this Christmas and all year round.”

Find out more on the Crisis website.

Justine Harvey