A St Wilfrid’s Hospice supporter who took a five minute dip in cold water every day for a month has raised more than £7,000.

Hayley Miller-Cook, who hates cold water, undertook the challenge in memory of her friend Bev Attridge, after she was cared for by St Wilfrid’s Hospice.

Her original target was £200, so Hayley was amazed when she’d raised nearly £2,000 in the first week. The money poured in and by the end of the challenge, she’d raised £7,050.

Hayley visited the hospice with Bev’s family to present a cheque for the final amount. She said: ‘I can’t believe how much money I raised from the challenge! My friends and family were all so generous and I can’t thank them enough for their moral and financial support. A special shout out goes to my friends who secretly dropped a different hat round for me to wear each dip.

‘I’d also like to thank Bev’s family and friends who were right behind me from the start. I didn’t enjoy getting in the cold tub every day and I don’t plan to get in one ever again, but everyone’s support made it worth it. I think part of the reason it made such an impact is because everyone knows someone who’s been looked after by a hospice, and they need our support to keep them going.’

St Wilfrid’s Hospice Fundraising Assistant, Megan Upton, said: ‘Hayley has done a fantastic job of raising money and awareness of the work the hospice does. We’re very grateful to her as over 70% of our funds come from voluntary donations.’

Pictured: Hayley, and Bev’s family, presenting the cheque