Amanda's Dip into Nature Winter Challenge for DEF

This winter I'm challenging myself to dip into nature regularly (on average once a week) to stay connected to nature during the colder months and raise funds for Devon Environment Foundation to fund more local nature restoration projects.

To help motivate myself to keep dipping through the winter season, I've set up this fundraiser to keep me accountable and give me extra reasons to take the plunge on a chilly day.

If you'd like to join me for this Dip into Nature Winter Challenge, and set up your own fundraiser in aid of DEF, please search on Crowdfunder's website for Conservation Collective (parent charity) and set up a fundraiser called "[Your name]'s Dip into Nature Winter Challenge for DEF". 

It will take you less than 2 minutes to set up if you copy/personalise my text here.

I'd also be VERY grateful for any donations to this fundraiser to help spur me on when the sea looks less than inviting! 🌊🧊❄️🏊‍♀️

Huge thanks

Amanda x

Read more about DEF's Dip into nature winter challenge HERE and below...

There are 3 levels for DEF's #DipIntoNature Winter Challenge - I've picked level one "Refreshing" as the most realistic one for me to commit to:

"REFRESHING"🧊️

Commiting to 16 winter dips - averaging at approx. one dip a week 1 Dec to 31 March.

"INVIGORATING"🧊🧊  

Commiting to 30 winter dips - averaging at approx. two dips a week 1 Dec to 31 March, or every day for a particular month

"REVITALISING"🧊 🧊 🧊

Commiting to 60 dips - averaging at approx. four dips a week 1 Dec to 31 March

We're also organising a couple of festive events to encourage group dipping! It would be great to see you there...

Pre-Christmas ✨

• Sun 22nd Dec 2024 (9am) - Blackpool Sands, nr Dartmouth, TQ6 0RG. 
• Meet next to the sauna on the beach.
• Brya Life (part of Sea Kayak Devon) is kindly offering all our dippers a free sauna session between 9am to 9.50am on Sun 22nd December.
• Plus, anyone who sets up a Dip Into fundraiser for DEF, can email [email protected] for a 20% discount off their Open Sauna sessions booked Monday-Friday from 2nd January to 31st March 2025. Multiple visits allowed, subject to availability. Week day opening hours are Mon – Thur 10.00-17.00 and Fri 9.00-20.00.

New Years Day 💫

• Wed 1st Jan 2025 (10am) - Sedgewell Cove, Bigbury-on-Sea, TQ7 4AS. 
• Meet at the bottom of the slipway nearest to the small surfers' car park.

** IMPORTANT** 

All the events above are subject to weather conditions, if it is unsafe to swim on the day we will not be dipping. There will be no safety cover, first aid, or lifeguards present at any of the events. Dippers are responsible for their own health and safety. Please only dip if you are a confident swimmer and the weather and tidal conditions and currents are safe. If in doubt, choose another day. Always respect the sea, especially in winter.

We recommend you try to avoid swallowing the water due to increased likelihood of pollution and run-off during the winter months.  

THE CAUSE

DEF is an independent, agile charity that directs funds where they are needed quickly to deliver the greatest benefits for nature.

We fill a funding gap for smaller, pioneering projects requiring flexible funding and mentoring support to get up and running.

In our experience, relatively small amounts of funding, strategically directed, can supercharge the work of small projects delivering positive environmental change on the ground.

Since 2020, we've awarded over £1 million in direct grants, supporting 79 projects, working with 41 project partners. 

You can see the wide range of projects we have enabled HERE.

DEF is a UK branch of the Conservation Collective, an environmental charity on a mission to protect and restore the wild places we all know and love. With founder Ben Goldsmith at the helm, CC’s growing global network of 20 local foundations channels funds to impactful grassroots initiatives that protect natural habitats, restore native species, reduce pollution, and build climate resilience.

We would love you to support DEF’s mission so we can seed even more local nature restoration projects, and showcase their successes to inspire hope and wider action.