CAPTION: Fr Gary Deighton, with a cross of ashes on his forehead, ahead of his first swim on Ash Wednesday
Paignton Priest’s 40 Lent Swims in 40 Days
A Devon vicar is doing 40 sea swims in 40 days for Lent, even though he doesn’t like cold water.
Father Gary Deighton, vicar of Goodrington and Collaton-St-Mary in Paignton, is doing the daily dips to raise money for South Devon YMCA’s Nightstop service, which helps young homeless people by providing emergency overnight accommodation.
His first swim took place on Ash Wednesday (2 March), after he led a traditional Ash Wednesday service at St George’s Church, Goodrington.
He was joined in the water by Maria Goodwin, the CEO of YMCA South Devon and Ben Nelson-Smith, the headteacher of Collaton St Mary Church of England Primary School.
“I will be looking to vicars in the area as well as community leaders to come and join me. There is only one rule – no wetsuits.”
Fr Gary and others prepare to get in the water
Fr Gary said “Lent is a season of prayer and fasting, but fasting isn’t just about giving-up chocolate.
“I think it’s about giving up some of your comfort, and I’m doing that by going in the sea.
“The idea came to me after a fundraising Boxing Day swim I did with members of my church which raised £1500 for a local foodbank.
“I don’t like cold water or getting in the sea and I don’t like not knowing what is underneath me, but when you live so close to the sea you have to take advantage of it!”
In 2017 the Paignton priest slept rough for the whole of Lent, raising £6000 for homeless charities.
Nightstop launched in Torbay in December 2021 and involves volunteer hosts opening their homes to young people for one or two nights’ emergency accommodation.
Part of the purpose of the swims is to raise awareness of the scheme.
The daily swims are raising funds for Nightstop
Fr Gary said “We want to be able to help all young people in their hour of need, and for that we rely on the generosity and big hearts of our hosts. We just need more of them.”
Maria Goodwin, said “Until Nightstop launched, there was no bespoke emergency system for young people in Torbay, and they were forced either into B&B’s or sofa surfing on friends’ couches.
“Nightstop aims to get the young people (aged between 16 and 25 years) into a safe caring environment, in the homes of trained volunteers. If you feel you can provide that help, please get in touch with us.”
Fr Gary said he had been preparing for his Lent challenge by taking lots of cold showers.
The Torbay MP Kevin Foster and members of the Diocese of Exeter Mission and Ministry team are due to join him in April and Fr Gary said he hoped others might also take the plunge to show support.
“I will be looking to vicars in the area as well as community leaders to come and join me. There is only one rule – no wetsuits.”
You can donate to the 40 Swims challenge here: https://justgiving.com/fundraising/garydeighton40swims
