Only a storm will stop Deryn Martin from heading down for an early morning dip in the sea.
What began as a way to cope with unimaginable grief has become a daily healing ritual. Deryn (pictured above on the left) turned to sea dipping after the sudden loss of her daughter, Elin, who tragically died in a traffic collision in 2022 at the age of 18.
“Three years ago you would never have got me in the water, in this country anyway, now I can't get out,” says Deryn, who is from the coastal town Gosport - near Portsmouth.
“It sets me up for the day. Most mornings, I'm down there on my own and it gives me an inner sense of calm. I know if I don't go, I will feel all out of sorts for the day. Losing Elin was hugely traumatic and it helps with my mental health.”
The Gosport community rallied together to launch fundraising efforts for Lepra, in Elin’s memory. The charity supports people affected by leprosy and lymphatic filariasis.
Elin's dream was to study medicine and train to be a doctor, with a specific interest in neglected tropical diseases. Her mother remembered how she had written about lymphatic filariasis in her personal statement for universities, and so it seemed like the most fitting cause.
It was also in 2022 when Deryn began sea dipping. Sami Hope - the mother of Ethan, Elin’s boyfriend of three years - set herself the challenge of sea dipping for a month in Elin’s memory.
After the month was up, she extended it to 100 days, then a whole year. Deryn and Sami went on to form a sea dipping group, the Salty Sunflowers. Sunflowers were Elin's favourite flowers, so the pair often wear striking sunflower headbands.
Deryn finds the combination of cold water immersion and breathwork helps to keep her in the present. “I like the challenge to see how cold I can go. Your mind has to clear from anything else that's going on because when it's really cold, you're concentrating on breathing. There's always something to look at - birds, sometimes a seal, or the Isle of Wight in the background. It's a special time of day.”
In September, Deryn and Sami will take on the Swim Serpentine event in Hyde Park, London. The pair have signed up for the one-mile swim and have a fundraising target of £2,000 for Lepra.
“I do all of it for Elin,” Deryn says. “Fundraising in her memory continues to be part of our healing process, knowing that something good is coming out of something so terrible and that Elin's ambition to help heal people lives on.
“I think she'd be saying, ‘Oh my God, Mum. What are you doing?’ But I think she would be proud as well.”
Over the years, Deryn and Sami have raised thousands for Lepra in Elin’s name. On the first anniversary of her passing, the Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth was lit up in Lepra’s colours to raise awareness of World Leprosy Day. Deryn says she has appreciated the charity’s support over the years.
“Lepra are very generous with their time. They invite us to things and make sure we're included. I feel cocooned by it all.”
It was Lepra that made Deryn and Sami aware of Swim Serpentine, and their sea dipping became open water swimming. In 2024 Deryn and Sami completed the half-mile distance and fundraised £1,499 for Lepra. This year, Ethan is joining Deryn and Sami, along with their friend Barbara.
“Ethan is still very much part of my life, which is nice. He has two mums now!” Deryn says.
