Taking the plunge in icy Brockwell Lido – but all for a good cause

Swimmers flooded into Brockwell Lido to take part in a sponsored cold-water swim to help the homeless.

The hardy swimmers were taking part in an Icebreaker event for national homelessness charity Crisis, where they were challenged to swim the 90ft width of Brockwell Lido’s pool in a solo event or join with friends to do a relay.

The water temperature at the Brockwell Park lido, in Dulwich Road, was a chilly 7C.

Richard Lee, director of fundraising at Crisis, said: “It was wonderful to have people joining in to help us raise money, so many of them wearing really imaginative fancy dress. Everyone showed real bravery getting in the cold pool.

“Their efforts will help us support people this Christmas and beyond, with more households being pushed into poverty and at risk of homelessness as the cost-of-living crisis bites.

“We want to say a huge thank you to everyone who took part.”

A total of £16,000 has been raised so far from the event, in which 138 people took part.

As part of the event there was also a fancy-dress competition, with prizes for the person who had the best costume.

The competition was judged by the Lido Ladies, two women who regularly go cold-water swimming in lidos and encourage others to do the same.

Jessica Walker of the Lido Ladies, who lives in Crystal Palace, said: “We always encourage everyone, no matter what age, size or ability, to enjoy a swim to help their physical and mental well-being.

“We were really pleased to be part of the Icebreaker for such a good cause like Crisis, and glad to do something to support people experiencing homelessness.”

Crisis will be holding another London Icebreaker event this winter, at Parliament Hill on Sunday, January 14.

Pictured top: Two brave souls take on the challenge of a cold-water swim to help homeless people (Picture: Crisis)