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Yarmouth woman braves sea for Christian charity
Yarmouth woman braves sea for Christian charity
Pam from Great Yarmouth raised more than £2000 during advent by taking a dip in the sea every day
Pam Spychal, a member of the congregation at the Minster, Great Yarmouth, set herself the challenge of taking swim in the sea at Great Yarmouth throughout advent for at least two minutes a day, and has now raised over £2,000 for the charity Hope into Action
Pam was able to complete the challenge in the sea on 22 of the 24 days, only twice falling back on her contingency plan of an ice bath as a result of storm Darragh, which made swimming in the sea unsafe. Pam reported that on these two days "it was worse because in the sea you can look at the lovely scenery and see the birds fly by, but in the bath you're just sat there counting the seconds"
Pam took on the challenge to raise money for Hope into Action, a national Christian charity which partners with churches to provide housing for people who are homeless. The Norwich branch of the charity already partner with St Mary Magdalene church in Gorleston, and have recently entered into a partnership with the Parish of Great Yarmouth, of which Pam is a part, in order to open a new Hope into Action house in Great Yarmouth later this year
Pam explains: “I am passionate about the parish’s Hope Into Action partnership. We are going to be able to help house and support up to three homeless or vulnerably housed people right here in our town. I want to help raise as much as I can for this charity”
Although some days have been tough, Pam has also enjoyed her sea dips: “What I have discovered is a new appreciation of how the sea and the beach change day by day. I’ve experienced calm, wind, sun, cloud and rain. The waves can be gentle and sometimes ferocious. Perhaps you might like to join me, maybe in the summer!” Pam was joined on some days by friends and family, along with her husband Paul who acted as her faithful "spotter"
Contributions to Pam’s fundraising for Hope into Action are still welcomed, and can be made on this webpage: https:// hopeintoaction.enthuse.com/pf/pam-spychal
Photo courtesy of Julie and Philip Williams photography http://www.philipwilliams.photo
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Anna Heydon, 06/01/2025
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