Cancer Research UK cold water dips finish in bins

Niki Ashton and Dannii Speddy fundraised for Cancer Research UK every day of March, taking part in the charity’s Cold Water Challenge.

They capped off the month at The Ainsworth Arms on Halliwell Road, taking their final dip into two wheelie bins in the beer garden.

They organised a raffle, with prizes like a voucher for a butcher, a voucher for The Ainsworth Arms, a watch and a hamper, amongst others.

Niki and Dannii during one of their dips (Image: UGC)

Niki and Dannii, from Bolton, beat their record of an hour in the water on the day, staying in the bins for one hour and six minutes.

Niki had her hair in plaits on the day.

She said: “In 2020 I shaved my hair off for The Christie in Macclesfield and I managed to raise £20 short of £5000.

“When I cut my hair off I made it into two plaits to commemorate my two friends who died of cancer, Tina Hesketh and Aileen Daly.

“I cut it off myself and for some reason kept the plaits.

Niki and Dannii with their pints in the bins (Image: Newsquest)

“Then, 12 days after the fundraiser, I found out my dad had cancer. When he passed away and I went to his funeral, I put one of the plaits in the coffin with my dad.”

Dannii said: “My best friend passed away at 31, and I’ve lost family members including my granddad. I’ve definitely been affected by it.

“I wouldn’t have done it without Niki. It’s been a blast.”

After one of their cold water dips, Niki and Dannii were approached by Joe Kaliszczak, a cancer survivor, and he visited them for the bin dip.

Niki and Dannii when they met Joe, a cancer survivor (Image: UGC)

He said: “I was given between 2-10 years to live, that was 2012 and it’s now 2023. I’m in remission but not full remission so it could come back – but I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for people like them.

“I think today is a great way of celebrating it.”

To donate do Niki and Dannii’s fundraiser, visit: https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/nikis-cold-water-challenge-giving-page-1