THE end is in sight for a Bronglais mental health nurse who has been swimming in the freezing sea off Borth all winter without a wetsuit.
Ruth Jennison, who lives in Llanidloes but works on Bronglais Hospital’s Enlli ward, has been swimming in the sea since October in an effort to raise money for mental health services in Zanzibar, a Tanzanian island off the east coast of Africa.
Ruth has not worn a wetsuit for any of her swims, bathing only in a swimming costume and some neoprene gloves and socks when the cold winter sea was particularly biting.
“I have enjoyed doing it, it’s addictive,” Ruth, 60, told the Cambrian News this week.
“I have to admit that I did wear boots and gloves at some points because the cold was so painful, but I wore no hood. This may sound crazy but my winter swims are for a good reason.”
Ruth used to work as a community mental health nurse in Zanzibar. Along with two colleagues in mental health care, Ruth helped set up the ZAMHS group, which helps support outreach services in Zanzibar, taking medicines to those living in rural areas who cannot access or afford them otherwise.
Ruth is asking people to go along and support her as she completes her 60th swim at 11am on 8 April, at Borth beach, near the lifeboat station.
Anyone who would like to sponsor Ruth, or would like more information, should visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ZAMHS or www.facebook.com/ZanzibarMH/.
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