Carlisle groups in chilling challenge to raise money for cancer

A group of regular members from Strength Shack, a gym in Carlisle, are taking on an epic ice bath challenge for charity.

All involved will be going in the ice bath - which is a freezing 2 degrees - every single day for 24 days, beginning on December 1, with some even pledging to an extra dip first thing on Christmas day.

Money raised will be going to North Cumbria Hospitals NHS Charity and Cancer Research UK.

Kirsten Johnston, 26, from Carlisle said: “I have been in the ice bath just twice before and it is brutal. I know that it will be hard but I lost my dad, papa, grandad and grandma to cancer so I know that it will be worth doing.

"We chose North Cumbria Charity Hospitals charity so that the money raised can go to cancer services which will have a direct impact on the local community.”

Kirsten Johnston, Iain Martin, Ellie Turner and Subhaan Shabbir are raising money for North Cumbria Hospitals NHS Charity. The money will be going to the oncology fund.

Subhaan Shabbir (26), Iain Martin (31), Kirsten Johnston (26), Ellie Turner (29) (Image: NCIC)Jonny Rowland, 39, from Carlisle, said: “I am raising money for Cancer Research as over the past few years, I have lost one of my childhood friends to Leukaemia, my youngest sister and nana both had cancer, which they fortunately got through, and recently my auntie sadly passed away with untreatable lung cancer.

"Cancer Research proposed 12 days of ice baths, but we have doubled the challenge.”

READ MORE: Fundraiser for Egremont dad diagnosed with cancer tops £2,000

Jonny Rowland, Paul Mitchelhill, and Martin are raising money for Cancer Research UK.

Although a tough challenge, there are many benefits to cold water exposure such as boosting circulation and reducing inflammation.

Ice bath facilities are kindly being provided free of charge for the challenge by Strength Shack Gym.