Feeling 'brrr-ave'? Take a plunge into cold water on a chilly December morning to raise vital funds for Sue Ryder at Cheltenham Lido this winter.
The Big Dip cold water challenge takes place on Sunday 7 December 2025, to raise money to support the national healthcare charity, which provides compassionate end-of-life care and grief support in Gloucestershire via the Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice.
Nic Moorey is a complementary therapist at the hospice and this year will mark the third year she has taken part in the Big Dip.
Nic said: 'I do this to remember my mum and my friends' loved ones. Working at the hospice, I also reflect on all the people who’ve come through our doors and the families we support.
'It’s a special place – and the Big Dip Cheltenham is a fabulous event.'
Registration opens at 11.45am, so brave participants have time to grab a hot drink and warm up with an energetic Zumba lesson before taking the plunge.
Then the Big Dip begins, with swimmers jumping into the pool — suitably cold, at between 5 and 10 degrees — together at 12.30pm.
This year, people also have the opportunity to test their swimming skills with a 200m or 300m challenge swim, too.
Cold water swimming is exhilarating — and can be a lot of fun — but it's important that anyone taking part in this sponsored swim is fit and well enough to do so. Anyone who's interested in signing up can read up about cold water swimming at cheltenhamlido.co.uk/cold-water-swimming-tips.
Registration costs £10 per person, with all money going to Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice.
Sign up for the Big Dip Cheltenham at sueryder.org, or contact the Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice fundraising team by emailing leckhampton.fundraising@sueryder.org or calling 01242 246285.
