North Sea cold plunge raises £1,000 for care home residents

A NORTH Sea dip saw three Peterlee care home workers raise almost £1,000 for elderly residents.

Andrea Ramshaw, Hayley Cudlip, and Michelle Walton, who work at Bannatyne Lodge Care Home, on Manor Way, all took a cold plunge off the Seaton Carew coast for the fundraiser.

Fellow staff, family members, and friends all donated to see the ladies brave the 5°C water, with beach visitors stopping to watch the spectacle.

Hayley, a care home advanced practitioner, said: “I never thought I would swim in the North Sea in summer, never mind winter. But I would do anything for our residents.”

Carer Michelle said: “It’s been such a great experience. So many people have sponsored us as a way to support the residents. It’s been wonderful.”

Clinical lead Andrea added: “We have lots of things planned for the residents to enjoy this year, especially outings.

“The cost of minibus transport has gone up so we thought about how we could raise money to cover this and came up with doing a sponsored North Sea dip.

“Before we left Bannatyne Lodge we spoke to the ladies and gents who cheered us on and wished us well for the dip.”

Residents supported the trio since they first announced their fundraising feat. Brian Bailey, 76, said their efforts were “great” and John Harvey, 51, said: “It’s a lovely thought of the girls.”

Julie Armstrong, home manager at Bannatyne Lodge Care Home, said: “I’m so proud of these team members. Braving the North Sea for the residents was amazing.

“So far, the trio have raised almost £1,000, which will be used to fund outings in the summer and to revamp the existing garden furniture, so that residents can really enjoy being in the gardens when it gets warmer.

“The trio were unanimously voted as the home’s Stars of the Month for truly going the extra mile for all of the residents.”