Braving the sea for Women’s Aid

This year’s International Women’s Day (IWD) brought another challenge from Immerse Hebrides. Women across Harris and Lewis took part in the “bikini dip” on Saturday 8 March while raising funds for the Western Isles Women’s Aid (WIWA), an organisation that helps abused women and their children, and works towards the end of violence against women.

A “bikini dip” took place in Horgabost on 8 March. 18 local women celebrated International Women’s Day and raised funds for Women’s Aid.

Don’t let the name of the event mislead you. We were not just dipping our toes. As I arrived at the beach in Horgabost and started changing into my swimsuit, I was encouraged to go at least waist-deep. It was my first time swimming outdoors this early in the year, so I wasn’t sure I would manage. I ended up submerging up to my shoulders and laughing all the way through it. As it had been many times before, the presence of other women empowered me to do something I hadn’t dared on my own.

“It’s inspiring to take part in the IWD bikini dip, joining a group of hardy island women, prepared to challenge themselves. Yes, it really is cold, but it also brings women of all ages together, supporting each other, raises valuable funds, and in this case, helps highlight the work of Western Isles Women’s Aid,” shared the organiser of the event in Horgabost Mairi MacKenzie. Our regular readers will know that Mairi took part in a special chilly challenge this winter – swimming outdoors five times a week for five months, from November to March. “This is my 99th swim,” informs me Mairi with a smile as I’m trying to take an unshaky picture of her in the water. She successfully completed the challenge the next day.

By Sunday, the total amount raised for the WIWA amounted to over £400.00, but more donations linked to the event were still coming. “We would like to thank the swimmers for their continued support to WIWA. All donations help us to directly assist local families at a difficult time and are greatly appreciated,” said Louise Harrison from WIWA.

The charitable organisation is one of the 39 Women’s Aid groups in Scotland and is dependent on fundraising and support from the community. The local groups offer counselling, safe accommodation and support to women who have experienced domestic abuse, support for their children, advice on legal rights, housing, and benefits. Scottish Women’s Aid advocates for women on the national level, engaging with government and other stakeholders and challenging the unequal system we live in to gain more legal, financial, and social autonomy for women.

Anyone wishing to contribute to the work of WIWA can donate directly on their webpage:

https://westernisleswomensaid.co.uk/

If you require support from Women’s Aid, the national helpline is available 24/7:

0800 027 1234