'This is distinctly colder than it was the day before': Edinburgh fundraising duo jump into the sea rain or shine every day for 16 days to raise money for Rape Crisis Scotland Helpline

Two ‘tough as nails’ women from Edinburgh have been swimming in the sea for the past 10 days, thundersnow or no, to raise money for Rape Crisis Scotland Helpline.

Brenna Jessie, 27 and Katie Anderson, 36, will be taking the dive off the Portobello coast for 16 days to raise money for the charity they both work for.

The pair were hoping to challenge themselves, and really earn the money they are raising.

Brenna explained: “We thought that this was something that was worth sponsoring.

"Every day is different. Sometimes it’s a struggle prising myself out of bed, know what I’m going to do.”

Katie laughed: “It’s certainly been getting colder.

"I’m very new to sticking myself in the ocean, so every day is like the coldest day for me.

Picture Credit: Brenna Jessie

"Every day I think ‘this is distinctly colder than it was the day before’.”

Both Brenna and Katie, like the rest of Edinburgh woke up to the loud bangs of the thundersnow that struck the capital in the early hours of Friday morning.

Brenna said: “I know we said rain or shine, but does this count?!”

She did confess that she actually really enjoyed the wildness of the ocean.

Picture Credit: Brenna Jessie

Katie seemed less sure, saying that she was pretty terrified as the waves were so high.

They both laughed when they describe people walking along the beach who see them, and are astonished as they leap into the sea.

Brenna said: “Most of them just say ‘oh your brave’!

"We’ve recently been called ‘tough as nails’ which I’m proud of!”

Picture Credit: Brenna Jessie

With six days left to go, their Go Fund Me page has already hit an astonishing £6,111, despite them only setting an initial target of £500.

Katie said: “A few of the comments of the page have been saying ‘you’re so brave for jumping in the water’ but there are so many that are mentioning specifically what we are fundraising for.”

The women discussed their options for a fundraising challenge one day in Portobello.

Brenna explained: “We were having a coffee and talking about it, about how we wanted to do something.

"One of our main concerns was that it’s been a really hard year for everyone not many folk are going to be in a position to fundraise.”

Katie added: “We both work for Rape Crisis Scotland, I was a volunteer with the helpline for 10 years before I started working for them.

Picture Credit: Brenna Jessie

"It’s a cause that’s very dear to our hearts.”

To donate to Brenna and Katie’s fundraiser, click here.

A spokesperson: “We are so grateful to Brenna and Katie for undertaking such a arduous task to raise money for our helpline.

"It’s been so inspiring to see them go out every day rain or shine to raise money.

"What we know is that our helpline can be a life saving service for anyone in Scotland who’s experienced sexual violence.

"Every penny raised by Brenna and Katie will go towards essential services and we just want to thank them and every single person who’s donated for their support.

"It’s been so lovely to see such support not just financially but all the lovely comments we’ve received.”

The Rape Crisis Scotland helpline is 08088 01 03 02 and offers support and information by phone, email and text (07537 410 027).

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