A Perthshire businesswoman has been going ‘off shore’ to raise funds for a local charity.
Beth Field from Comrie has taken on a stamina-sapping challenge, which will see her swim a mile in Loch Earn every day for the whole of October to help with Crieff Connexions’ fundraising goals .
Beth is no stranger to getting into cold water but does not like swimming. She is more a fan of ‘dipping’ – plunging into a loch or river for a brief amount of time.
In February, Beth dipped daily to raise awareness of mental health issues, and this time round she will be summoning the courage to take to the chilly open water without a wetsuit to swim half a mile twice a day for 31 days.
Beth is a firm believer that dipping in cold water releases endorphins, boosting her immune system and reducing stress levels.
But this latest challenge will be a bit more stress-inducing and will require all her mental and physical powers to get to the end.
She is having to fit the swims around her work with local cleaning and property management firm Sweeping Betty, which means some days she will be going the distance in the dark before starting work.
The mum-of-one is taking to the water twice a day to make it easier for others that would like to join her on some of the days and perhaps get sponsorship of their own for Crieff Connexions, which is raising funds to create a safe and welcoming space for all at Crieff’s Penny Lane.
Kids’ Week in Crieff (KWIC) is co-ordinationg a timetable of volunteer ‘spotters’ for Beth and those wishing to join her for part of the challenge.
KWIC chair Angela Baker said: “Beth is absolutely outstanding – the mental mettle it takes to push yourself out of the house and to the banks of the loch, particularly on the dark mornings, is amazing.
“It was very choppy the day I did it with her, so much so that it flipped the board and that’s when I realised how important it is for someone to be there to spot her. Obviously, it’s not always rough. I’ve been in twice swimming alongside her as well for part of the distance when it was lovely and calm and that was invigorating.
“It gives you a real sense of achievement getting in the water.
“We are looking for spotters to keep an eye out for her while she is in the water, and are also encouraging people to get sponsored themselves, even if it’s just to take a dip without a wetsuit or swim 10 metres or 100 metres with a wetsuit.
“Money raised will go towards establishing a community use soft play area and community cafe, as well as aiding the many other projects that Crieff Connexions brings to our community.
“If anyone would like to go out on a paddleboard alongside Beth while she swims, we have been sponsored by Board Silly who have lent us a board to use.”
To get involved, call Angela on 07894264599 or message either of the Crieff Connexions, Sweeping Betty or Kids’ Week in Crieff Facebook pages.
To show support for Beth’s charity challenge, go to https://gofund.me/14e50bda
