Gritty Buxton mum takes frosty dips every day in December for homeless

A Buxton mum-of-two is taking an icy dip at freezing outdoor swimming spots every day in December to raise money for homeless charity Shelter.
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Debbie Rushworth, 52, says she took on the chilly challenge because rough sleepers ‘don’t have the luxury of returning home to a warm shower’.

A video shows the hardy High Peak woman under a frigid shower at a waterfall in the Kinder River which she said ‘was really cold because the water was pummeling my head’.

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However she has also bathed at Three Shires Head on the Derbyshire-Staffordshire border and taken a numbing swim in a pond near Lightwood Reservoir during a blizzard.

Debbie Rushworth prepares for the plungeDebbie Rushworth prepares for the plunge
Debbie Rushworth prepares for the plunge

During the reservoir swim the water temperature was just three degrees celsius - with a minus-five degrees windchill.

However Debbie describes the experience as ‘invigorating’.

She said: “Without a wetsuit you certainly feel the difference but during the year you acclimatise as the weather gets colder.

“It feels nice and really invigorating - it’s a really refreshing way to start the day.”

Debbie Rushworth with fellow swimmer Judith Bradford-KnoxDebbie Rushworth with fellow swimmer Judith Bradford-Knox
Debbie Rushworth with fellow swimmer Judith Bradford-Knox
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Social prescriber Debbie meets friends in the early morning for her wintry plunges before returning home to begin work.

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She said: “Because it’s first thing in the morning and we’re not getting out as normal it’s nice to see a friend first thing in the morning and have a really invigorating start to the day.”

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Debbie plans to complete a swim every day until December 31, adding: “So far it’s good – although it’s possible on a really windy and wintry day I won’t be as keen.”

Debbie Rushworth enjoys a bitter blizzard swimDebbie Rushworth enjoys a bitter blizzard swim
Debbie Rushworth enjoys a bitter blizzard swim

The mum-of-two told how since she started the frosty feat others had started similar campaigns - braving the bitter waters for those who sleep on the streets.

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She said: “I choose to get extremely cold every day, knowing that I go back to a warm home and a hot shower.

“For people living on our streets winter is just cold and there’s no choice – this has really made me appreciate how hard it must for them on cold and wet mornings.”

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“But my swim buddies are so supportive and I couldn’t do this without them.”

You can make a donation to her Debbie’s Dipcember fundraising campaign at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/debbie-rushworth.

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.