Local woman Sandra Jay Russell has taken the plunge to raise funds for Harmony, Bridport’s mental health hub.

She has been sea swimming during the winter and raised £425 in sponsorship for the charity.

She said: “I've never been a sea swimmer. Even at the height of summer I preferred to sit on the beach rather than venture into the sea and risk the cold.

"But I challenged myself to swim in the sea throughout the winter to raise money for Harmony. Some days it was really hard, but I thought about the cause and that kept me going. I am really pleased I managed to do it.”

Sandra, below, joined a group of experienced swimmers and acclimatised herself for the challenge of swimming in the cold water of the sea throughout the winter.

Bridport and Lyme Regis News:

She said: “I work as a psychotherapist and am very aware that sometimes we have to step outside our own comfort zones to make important things happen – so I am really pleased I could practice this for myself."

Sandra added: "The Harmony Centre staff do so much with little funding and limited resources for people in Bridport who are challenged with issues around their mental health, so I wanted to help them in some way."

Harmony runs a drop-in that can be visited or contacted during opening hours on 07597 379290, and a Community Front Room (07385 290804).