Please support Sthiranaga Barrenger in his heroic fund raising effort, which will benefit SAMARITANS and the Colchester Buddhist Centre.
If you happen to go for a winter’s walk along the promenade at Brightlingsea you may be surprised to see a Samaritans’ banner flapping in the icy East wind outside one of the beach huts. You may also be surprised to see someone swimming in the choppy, cold waves in just trunks, a swimming hat and gloves - not just a quick plunge but a proper swim away from the shore.
This will be Sthiranaga (Lee) Barrenger taking on one of the most challenging winter swims - the Gold Polar Bear Challenge. This is an organised charity event where he, alongside 540 other hardy individuals, will be swimming 250 metres twice a month in the sea and completing 5,000 metres minimum total distance during the challenge period. Gruelling stuff indeed in these wintery temperatures - but all in a good cause. Sthiranaga is not only one of those quiet, long term supporters of Colchester Samaritans, but a person who has given a huge amount to our local community. He was the youngest mayor of Brightlingsea, a local councillor and campaigner for mental health services through our local Mental Health Trust plus much more.
He is doing this amazing feat to raise money for Samaritans and the Colchester Buddhist Centre from November through to March. Half of the funds raised go to Samaritans and half to the Buddhist Centre. So far he has raised nearly £2,000! The pre Christmas publicity has been primarily to the Buddhist community and now we are asking Samaritans here and across our region to help as well by sharing his story and supporting him.
Sthiranaga welcomes support from personal visits (when COVID restrictions are relaxed) and his swims can be found on his fascinating website. Please give him a few minutes of your time by checking out his progress at https://www.sthiranaga.org/ and support this courageous man.
During the last few months I have been very aware of the challenge to people's mental health during these difficult times. I have helped support many online meditation classes as well as sessions to help people look at life in a different way. These have all been run by the Colchester Buddhist Centre. I have also been aware of the support being provided by the Samaritans and wanted to do something to support both charities.
says Sthiranaga
Sthiranaga welcomes support from personal visits (when COVID restrictions are relaxed) and his swims can be found on his website. Please give him a few minutes of your time by checking out his progress at https://www.sthiranaga.org/ and support this courageous man by donating what you can at uk.virginmoneygiving.com/SthiranagaBarrenger
Thanks for your support. Your generous donations will be shared equally between the two organisations.
Sthiranaga Barrenger