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The Freezbrury challenge was thought up by Damian Browne and commenced in 2019. The original challenge is quite hardcore with participants spending 1 minute in the cold water on February 1st, full body in the water just the head out, with a head dunk to begin the minute. On February 2nd participants spend 2 minutes in the water, with a head dunk each minute. 3 minutes on the 3rd, 4 on the 4th and so on as you build up to 28 minutes in the water by the end of the month. To complete the original challenge, you can't miss a day. It is as much of a psychological challenge as it is a physical one, forcing yourself to get out of your comfort zone and push yourself to your limit day after day. 

While doing the challenge in 2019 we immediately noticed there was a link between Freezbrury and the battle against depression. The initial challenge seemed impossible, after struggling to spend one minute in the water on February 1st, we thought 28 minutes to be a ridiculous ask, but as the days wore on, we got more support and with that support the challenge became easier. Just like battling depression, small positive steps each day with the right support around you will make a challenge that seems impossible a lot more achievable. It was at that point that we decided that we should use Damian’s physical and psychological endurance challenge to raise money and awareness for the charities that specialise in suicide prevention and helping those battling depression & anxiety.

To date the participants of Freezbrury have managed to raise approximately €100k for different charities, primarily for Pieta House, The Samaritans, Shine a Light, and several other charities both involved in suicide prevention and some not. Perhaps even more importantly than the money raised is the awareness that has been spread to help people who are struggling with their mental health know that even thought the challenge seems impossible, and the pain and struggle is so strong, that with the right support and small positive steps forward, you can achieve a lot more than you ever thought possible.

Although the original challenge was thought up as one of solitude and battling that voice in your head that tells you you can’t do something, we have used Freezbrury as a way of showing support to one another. When you do a day of Freezbrury on your own it’s a lot tougher, but when you do the next day with some friends you immediately find it easier. Just like the battle against depression, it’s really hard to do it on your own, but with the help of family, friends, or professional support like Pieta or the Samaritans, you can get through it a lot easier, it’ll still be hard, just like the water will still be cold and hurt, but the challenge is easier with some support.

So, we encourage everyone to get involved, even if you can’t do the entire challenge, just by getting in the water with someone who is doing the challenge you are helping them massively. The power of your support makes the challenge a lot easier, and all your donations are greatly appreciated by the selected charities, as well as hugely encouraging to all those braving the cold winter waters.