Sian doing the Cold Water 30 day challenge to raise money for the Will to Live charity which is funding 3 free counselling sessions for farmers around NZ. Video / Sian Noble-Campbell
Most people would choose a hot shower in the morning over a freezing cold dip in a water trough but Sian Noble-Campbell doesn't run with the herd.
The Waikato farmer has jumped fully clothed into freezing creeks, streams and troughs on her Matahuru Valley farm to raise money for struggling farmers.
Noble-Campbell is taking part in the 30 Day Cold Water Challenge to raise funds for the Will To Live Charitable Trust New Zealand
Farmers - who are essential workers and dealing with high demands over lockdown - face an eight-week wait to see a psychologist or counsellor if they are struggling with mental health.
"Farming can be very isolating so anything I can do to cut down the wait time to talk to a counsellor is worth it."
Noble-Campbell is today's Lockdown Hero.
Noble-Campbell's daily photos and funny videos have kept those following her progress entertained. She had raised more than $3,500 through her Givealittle page.
Sian Noble-Campbell has spent up to 10 minutes each day in freezing water to raise money for farmers. Photo / Supplied
"We have more than 30 troughs on our farm and there's not many I haven't sat in," she said.
"I have been in the duck ponds and creeks and jumped off the waterfall."
Not one to do things by halves, Noble-Campbell has been increasing the time in each trough or pond each day and is nearly up to 10 minutes.
Her husband Andrew had pledged $10 a day to her challenge.
"He has been really supportive and comes with me and sometimes gives me a lift home on the bike when it's really cold.
"I'm talking him into joining me on the final day and some friends said they will double their donation if he does so the pressure is on."
Noble-Campbell said when the challenge is over it's likely she will keep on with the icey dips.
"It is for a cause I am passionate about it but it actually makes me feel really alive.
"It has been good for me mentally and physically and I feel it is good for the soul."
The Will To Live Foundation was founded in 2018 by Elle Perriam after her partner, a young farmer, took his own life.
The charity has been promoting mental health awareness, providing one-on-one support, free education and wellbeing tools to small rural communities, often isolated from mental health resources.
In 2019 the charity hosted a nationwide "Speak Up Tour" throughout rural New Zealand, reaching over 10,000 farmers.
This month it will launch "RuralChange" which is a fund for private psychologists for New Zealand Farmers.
