Chilly Charity Challenge for Beech Hall

Members of the Beech Hall School community faced the freeze for the school’s annual Ice Challenge Swim – in aid of homelessness charity, Crisis.

The swimmers raised a sizeable £2,630 for the charity –  up £1,830 on last year!

Seventy swimmers, aged from nine up, plunged into the outdoor swimming pool at the Tytherington-based school, conquering icy temperatures of 10.8 degrees to raise much-needed funds for the worthy cause.

Beech Hall’s renowned Channel Swim Squad kicked off the three-hour swim set with their confident entries into the water; jumps, dives and backflips were seen in abundance, culminating in a 10-metre conga that belied the near-arctic temperatures of the water. Confidence remained high throughout the event as more swimmers took to the water, including pupils, staff members, family and friends.

The fearsome Rory Kaye led by example, sharing his extended periods of cold immersion between the 10.8 degrees of the pool and the 6 degrees of the ice pod. As swimmers came and went with an impressive commitment to the cause, the arrival of a group of youngsters from Year 6 and Year 7, and their enthusiastic siblings brought out the very best in big brother/sister nurturing.

James Allen, Headmaster at Beech Hall School commented: “It is an honour to see our incredibly eager school community rally together once again for the annual Ice Swim Challenge – an impressive feat to conquer! I am inspired by the remarkable displays of resilience and determination, with each individual pushing themselves personally to achieve their goals.

“A special thank you must go in many directions for the success of the Ice Swim. To every one of our brave swimmers, supporters, donators and encouragers, and most of all, to Helen Turner for her organisation of our fourth Crisis Icebreaker and by far our most successful!”