Man takes daily cold dip for mental health group
Dave Arthur"If we can save one guy, we have done a good job."
That's the motivation behind a Telford man's challenge to take part in a cold-water dip every day in February.
Dave Arthur is raising money for the town's male mental health group, Primal Instincts, and has been attending Simpsons Pool in Horsehay, Telford, to complete his dip before sunrise every morning.
Mr Arthur said he wanted to support the group as they made a "big difference" to his life after he sold his business of 20 years and began to feel "a bit lost".
"A couple of friends asked me to come along. I've met a lot of good guys, it's made a big difference to me and I love it.
"You get a massive buzz out of it and it makes you feel great for the day", Mr Arthur added.
He said he stayed in the water for up to five minutes each day and the air temperature had reached as low as -7C during his daily cold-dip challenge.
'It's non-judgemental'
The group began in 2023 when a few men decided to start jumping into the River Severn in 2023.
Their weekly dip, which Mr Arthur attended for the first time eight months ago, now attracts up to 60 men.
The group also runs boot camp sessions twice a week, a talking circle on a Wednesday and a walk-and-talk event at Telford Town Park on Sundays.
Mr Arthur encouraged other men to get involved.
"There's lots of people there and it's non-judgemental"
"If men are feeling they need help, we're here, we're all over social media, come and check us out."
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