Wild swimmer Elizabeth McDonald braved the chilly waters of the Moray Firth over the winter to buy disabled teenager Cameron MacColl a hot tub
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A wild swimmer from Nairn has braved the chilly waters of the Moray Firth nearly every day throughout the winter to fund a hot tub for a disabled teenager.
High Life Highland leadership officer Elizabeth McDonald started her quest in November to raise cash for 17-year-old Cameron MacColl who suffers from cerebral palsy.
She signed up to the Penguin Challenge which calls on folk to wild swimming two days every month between November and March.
However, the 56-year-old grandmother, who only took up wild swimming in September, decided from the outset that two days a month was not enough.
Sea conditions meant it was unsafe to swim on certain days.
But Elizabeth was in the water 144 out of a possible 151 days and 116 of these were consecutive.
Water temperatures varied from just over 2C to 5C.
Air temperatures however sometimes plummeted to -11C.
“Sometimes my hands were in agony, even with gloves on,” she said. “But it’s had enormous benefits helping me manage a chronic pain condition I suffer from and, of course, there’s the mental health which has affected everyone through Covid.”
Elizabeth said it was an easy decision to support Cameron.
“He has been through incredible challenges in his life and recently underwent major spinal surgery. The hot tub will have enormous benefits for him.
“Wild swimming is big in Nairn. Every time I went down to the beach, people inspired me by wishing me well and it really spurred me on to reach the goal.
"And many people who saw me went back home, found my JustGiving page and put in their donation.”
Cameron joined her for a quick dip in his wheelchair towards the end of her challenge.
“He’s game for anything and loved it. Of course it was just in and out and he was warmly wrapped up and the Sundancer restaurant provided us with hot chocolate.”
Having completed a total of 155 miles, Elizabeth is going to continue going for her daily swim.
She said: “I’ve seen the benefits for my own health and made lots of friends in the wild swimming community.”
Elizabeth raised a total of £9400 which, as well as the hot tub, has paid for a summer house for Cameron plus all the associated groundworks and electrics.
Meanwhile, MFR Cash for Kids is providing Cameron with a hoist.
Cameron’s mum Elaine Harris said: “We can’t thank Elizabeth enough for everything she’s done and the generosity of the public who donated.
“The hot tub will help Cameron enormously.
“Despite the challenges he has faced he always has a smile and is obviously delighted.”
