Fundraising swimmer taking a 'dip a day' throughout December

A keen swimmer looking to raise money for the homeless by swimming in the great outdoors has already smashed through her fundraising target.

Ella Foote, began her ‘dip a day’ challenge on Thursday, December 1, which involves dunking herself in the Jubilee River – which is about three degrees this time of year – once a day for the whole of December.

The 33-year-old, who volunteers with the Outdoor Swimming Society said: “There’s been quite a bit in the news about homelessness recently, so I wanted to do something to help.

“No-one should be homeless at Christmas.”

All the money raised will go to Crisis, a charity committed to bringing an end to homelessness.

There have been two reported homeless deaths in Maidenhead alone over the past few weeks.

Ella added: “We’ve had really cold weather this week, and getting up early in the dark has been a challenge.

“But homeless people have to deal with the cold every day.”

She originally set herself a target of £22.32 a day for 31 days, as the amount is enough to reserve a place for one homeless person at Crisis. But Ella has been overwhelmed by the response that has meant she has already more than doubled her original target, and is now looking to raise enough to secure places for 100 homeless people.

“I couldn’t believe it when I checked the fundraising page again,” she said. “It will make a huge difference in peoples lives.

“Anyone could become homeless at anytime.”

To donate visit Ella’s JustGiving page at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Ella-Foote-December