A BRAVE Bankie put her mind and body to the test recently as she plunged herself into the icy waters of Loch Lomond every day for a month to raise money for charity.

Pauline Campbell completed this brutal challenge for the second year in a row in an effort to raise funds for Cash for Kids: Mission Christmas.

Pauline told the Post that she decided to undertake the dip as it would “mean the world” to be able to raise money to help local families at what is an incredibly difficult time of year – made harder by the cost of living crisis.

Clydebank Post: Pauline on the final day of her polar dip in 2021 Pauline on the final day of her polar dip in 2021 (Image: Pauline Campbell)

Pauline said: “I completed my last dip on December 20 and that was good, I’m very happy to be finished.

“I’ve already said ‘there’s no way I’m doing it again next year’, but I’ve managed to raise a good amount of money again. The total is currently sitting at over £2,200 and that’s what it’s all about.

“I’m delighted to have raised money for Cash for Kids: Mission Christmas.

"I think what affects me the most about this is to think that some kids aren’t getting anything, everybody deserves to be able to give their kids presents and it’s just heartbreaking that we live in a world these days where that’s not always possible, so every little helps.

“All the money will go directly to the kids. I know people that have been awarded from Cash for Kids and it’s just amazing to see the work that they do.”

Pauline, who works as a carer in Renton, would head to the loch before or after her shifts where she would enter the water up to her neck and stay there for 10 minutes every day for 30 days.

Last year proved to be particularly challenging as the UK experienced a cold snap with temperatures plummeting to -10 in some areas. Pauline said that during one of her dips at Duck Bay that there was snow on the beach.

However, this did not deter the brave Bankie who said it is “just a mindset” and got on with it.

Pauline added: “It’s not easy but I don’t think it’s that hard either. However, people think I’m crazy.

"During the cold snap, I did the dip at Duck Bay and there was snow on the beach.

“Yet I still have the cheek to complain that I’m cold at work. I’m in no way a professional or anything - I just enjoy going in the water. I have done since I was a wee girl.

“The cold snap in December was a little unexpected but it’s just a mindset - I knew that I needed to do it, so just got on with it.

“I work in Renton and the nature of my job means that sometimes I couldn’t go before or even after my shift, so I’d have to go at night.

“My daughter has been amazing. She comes with me if I have to go at night. I found that doing the dip was also really good for your mental health.

“I’m just hoping to raise as much as possible for such a good charity.”

Pauline said she was inspired to take the plunge for charity after being invited by a colleague to go for a swim in Loch Lomond.

She said: “I was invited by a friend at work to go for a dip in the loch a couple of years ago and as I was driving to work I was listening to the radio and I thought ‘I want to raise money for this charity so I’ll do a dip’.

“I think it’s captured people’s imagination.”

Last year was also different as the cost of living crisis hit everyone’s pockets.

With an increase in the number of families struggling at what is already a tough time of year, Pauline explained that even being a “tiny part” of the effort to help those in need would be amazing.

“It just means the world to raise funds, especially the fact that it’ll go to local kids," she continued.

"It just breaks my heart that any kids are struggling at the moment.

“With the cost of living crisis, it’s sad to think that people are going without.

"A good thing to concentrate on in these times is that there are things like Cash for Kids, food banks, and all of these groups that go above and beyond to support their communities.

“To be a tiny wee part of that would just be amazing.”

To donate to Pauline’s fundraiser visit HERE.