Mammy Banter's Waves for Mental Health beanies raise thousands for local mental health charities

Serena Terry, also known as Mammy Banter, has been fundraising through her cold water dipping group 'Waves for Mental Health' by selling beanie hats with the Waves logo.

Serena started the cold water dip club, 'Cold Water Dipping,' for people in the North West and North Coast to help improve their mental health.

The popularity and success of the group grew rapidly with hundreds bravely taking part in the icy dips.

The Cold Water Dipping club has since expanded into Waves for Mental Health. It has grown from a cold water dipping activity to now a full programme of activities for members including a walking club, couch to 5k, beach yoga, cold water dips and soon will offer Netball, hiking and much more.

Noticing everyone was sporting beanie hats to keep them warm during the dips, Serena created the Waves for Mental Health beanies with all proceeds to be donated to local mental health charities.

The recent donations are set to be the first of many donations to come. 

The first drop of the beanie hats raised £5000 which was recently donated to Foyle Search and Rescue and ARC Fitness, with both receiving £1000 each. The other £3000 will be split evenly and donated to Zest, Hughies Corner and Lips Limavady.

Presenting the cheque to Foyle Search and Rescue, Mammy Banter said: "I had the honour of presenting Foyle Search and Rescue with £1000 from the sale of our first drop of Waves for Mental Health beanies.

"Foyle Search and Rescue is made up of selfless volunteers who do so much for our community. 

"They are a charity that was set up by local people in 1993 in response to the alarmingly high number of deaths in the River Foyle and has adopted the role of preventing suicide and supporting families in Derry City.

"It's Wave's mission to continue raising mental health awareness and much needed funds for these incredible charities. Thank you to everyone for your help and support."

Foyle Search and Rescue added: "Thank you to Mammy Banter and Waves for Mental Health for your generous donation of £1000.

"Serena has grown an incredible community in Waves for Mental Health and it’s amazing to watch. From everyone at FSAR - thank you so much."

Members of Waves for Mental Health also presented the cheque of money raised for ARC Fitness to founder, Gary Rutherford. 

Serena wrote: "Gems from the Waves for Mental Health crew popped down to ARC Fitness this morning to present the guys with £1000 from our beanie sales in January.

"ARC Fitness provides discrete Small Group Personal Training services and access to various physical activities for people in recovery from drug and alcohol dependence. 

"This coupled with experienced Addiction Recovery Coaching enables people to make positive and informed choices about their recovery. We look forward to supporting these legends again in the future."

Members of Waves for Mental Health presenting ARC Fitness with the money raised from beanie sales

Gary Rutherford at ARC Fitness wrote: "Thank you to Waves for Mental Health for all the support and the kind donation of £1000 towards helping individuals and families impacted by substance misuse. Also, you guys are pretty awesome people. Thank you."

Encouraging people to join Waves for Mental Health, Serena added: "Waves is a community and welcomes anyone to join. You’re promised support from their growing group members who are all in Waves for self care and to stay on top of their mental health.

“The beauty about waves is that it brings community and self care together in a beautiful supportive way. We all know the benefits of getting outside into nature and doing holistic activities, but after the pandemic, it’s been hard for a lot of people to become social again or maybe even find company for a walk or a dip in the ocean.

"That’s what Waves is all about, no judgement, just support, encouragement and an incredible community of people all there to look after themselves without having to depend on waiting lists. And the best part, it’s all free.”

To purchase your own Waves for Mental Health beanie hat, they are currently stocked in Derry's Ferry Clever on Bishop Street, or you can order online via: https://mammybanter.com/shop/ols/products

All proceeds from the sales of the beanie hats goes towards local mental health charities.