A NON-PROFIT organisation is seeking £500 to continue running its free open-water swimming courses.

Chill East Lothian CIC, based in North Berwick, provides open-water swimming courses across the UK, including East Lothian, Dorset and Brighton.

The initiative is specifically targeted at individuals experiencing anxiety and depression.

On its GoFundMe page, Chill East Lothian CIC said: "Making the most of the beautiful beaches of East Lothian, Chill East Lothian CIC is a not-for-profit organisation which offers free open-water swimming courses to provide everyone with a safe and supportive way to access all the health benefits of cold water immersion.

"We would like to raise funds to help towards running costs such as coach, lifeguard and insurance fees so that we can continue to run these courses in the future for as many people within East Lothian as possible.

"We would also like to buy equipment such as neoprene boots and gloves so that people coming on our courses can use these without having to buy their own.

"Any help will be so appreciated and will help benefit others living within East Lothian."

The courses, which are aimed at introducing a 'new, fun and sustainable skill' and boosting mental wellbeing, typically run in groups of eight and last an hour, with participants spending between 10 and 35 minutes in the water depending on the water temperature.

The organisation said: "We are passionate to share our love of sea dipping by running sessions, specifically aimed at people experiencing anxiety and depression, introducing a new, fun and sustainable skill, and highlighting the enhanced mental wellbeing that spending time in the ocean can provide."

Go to gofundme.com/f/chill-east-lothian-cic to donate.