A BRADFORD dad has completed a freezing month-long challenge which has raised over £7,000 for an important cause.

Matthew Greenwood's daughter Lauren, 11, had open heart surgery at Leeds Children's Hospital in the first few days of her life.

For the past two years, Matthew and his family, of Wilsden, have wanted to give back to the Children's Heart Surgery Fund (CHSF) in the "gloomy" month of January.

Raising more than £5,000 in 2023 inspired the family to go again this year - expanding their challenge even further.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Matthew's brother Andrew also jumped in an ice-cold binMatthew's brother Andrew also jumped in an ice-cold bin (Image: Newsquest)For each of the 31 days in January, Matthew took the plunge in a garden wheelie bin full of ice-cold water for three minutes and 10 seconds.

A different guest has joined him for each of those days along with a cluster of people remotely around the world.

Matthew said: "Every day of January we dipped every night and had 31 guest dippers throughout the month.

"This included work colleagues, family friends and some other people who have children who have been through open heart surgery. 

"We had the minus temperatures which was challenging but this past week has been a lot more milder."

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Father and daughter make sure the water in each bin is at peak temperatureFather and daughter make sure the water in each bin is at peak temperature (Image: Newsquest)He added: "Every guest dipper who does it, is a bit of a shock but it is a good achievement for everyone who has done it.

"We set a challenge to get at least 31 people doing this remotely outside of Bradford. We have had people in Inverness, Saudi Arabia, and Australia."

"Hopefully we can beat last year's total of £5,500 (through the fundraiser page)."

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: All three brothers took on the challenge for the last dayAll three brothers took on the challenge for the last day (Image: Newsquest)And credit to everyone involved because that total has already been eclipsed.

At the time of writing, the online fundraiser is on £7,312.

On why he has taken on the challenge again, Matthew said: "I just like to pay back.

"It is only a short time to repay those who helped my daughter, who is 11 years old now, had open heart surgery in her first few days of life.

"In what is usually a gloomy month, it is nice to give something back."

He added: "Lauren is absolutely fine. She is in her last year at primary school.

"She has a check-up every 18 months and may need surgery when she is older."

You can still donate by visiting: https://www.justgiving.com/page/31days31differentpeopleinthebin