Dr Ravi Jain to swim an ‘ice mile’ to raise money for eating disorders charity BEAT
Dr Ravi Jain, founder of Riverbanks Aesthetics and Wellness Clinic, has shared his intention to swim an ‘ice mile’ in aid of the eating disorder charity, BEAT.
On December 1, Dr Jain will be swimming a mile in a Scottish loch where water temperatures are expected to be below five degrees Celsius or lower, in line with the International Ice Swimming Association (IISA) guidelines.
The guidelines also say Dr Jain can’t rest or touch the ground and has to enter and exit the water unassisted. He also has to have witnesses and a medical team on standby for the real risk of severe hypothermia.
The charity Dr Jain is swimming for, BEAT, is the UK’s eating disorder charity and aims to end the pain and suffering caused by eating disorders. The cause and charity are close to his heart.
He says, “This journey I’ve been on to swim an ice mile has been incredibly challenging but also deeply personal. From my family’s own experience of supporting a loved one suffering from an eating disorder, I know first-hand the toll eating disorders take not only on the afflicted individual but also on their families.
“What is particularly important to me about BEAT is their commitment to support those affected by eating disorders regardless of the state of their physical health. My daughter was fortunate to receive treatment from the local eating disorder services for anorexia a few years ago; however, the current system fails the majority as only 6% of those suffering from eating disorders are actually underweight, and the current system often requires that a set of physical criteria including a certain weight are met to access specialist support.
“BEAT embraces this understanding of these illnesses as mental disorders and works to bridge the gap in the system, striving to ensure that each person facing an eating disorder receives the care and support they need.
“Any donations made will pave the way for individuals and families to access life-changing support, which they may not have access to otherwise and will help BEAT continue to expand their support services and programmes across the country, as well as campaign for early support and changes to the current mental health system’s management of eating disorders.
“In conquering the ice mile, I hope that I will be able to fundraise a substantial amount to donate to BEAT, whose cause continues to resonate deep within me and that the waves I make through my icy endeavours will serve as a testament to the resilience of those fighting eating disorders.”
