Skipton wild swimmer completes 21-day fundraising challenge

Amy Brown took on a 21-day open water swimming challenge

A wild swimmer has completed a 21-day fundraising challenge in memory of her friend who died from cancer.

Amy Brown, 50, from Skipton, raised more than £2,000 for the Sue Ryder charity by braving a daily dip in icy waters for three weeks.

She said she had been inspired to support the charity after her friend, Dawn Barrett, was cared for at their Manorlands Hospice in Oxenhope.

She said: "Knowing I was doing it for Dawn spurred me on."

"I met Dawn through a wild swimming group about a year and a half ago and bonded over our love of the water," she said.

"She was an amazingly adventurous person and loved everything from climbing to skiing and kayaking."

Friends Melissa, Amy and Dawn open water swimming in Wales in 2023

Having previously worked as a hypnotherapist at the West Yorkshire hospice she said she knew how "exceptional" the care was and how "vital every penny raised can be".

She said: "The challenge itself definitely pushed me out of my comfort zone. One of the mornings I set out the air temperature was -7C [but] knowing I was doing it for Dawn spurred me on.

"Doing something where you know you are giving back also helps with the grief process.

"I think it has definitely helped me in processing my grief for Dawn."

Mrs Brown described her friend Dawn Barrett (pictured) as "an amazingly adventurous person"

Ms Barrett's friends and family also raised more than £4,000 for the hospice.

Her mum, Liz, said: "After Dawn died, we wanted to give something back for all the good work Sue Ryder care teams do at the hospice."

Adam Brunskill, senior community fundraiser at the hospice, said the money would allow them to "continue to be there for patients at the hardest of times".