‘Ice Man Brown’ raising cash for mental health
By Pam Wright
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Ice Man Brown is helping his town.
That’s the handle Colin Brown has adopted in the 2024 challenge he’s set for himself. The Chatham resident has vowed to take an ice bath every day this year to help raise funds and awareness for local charities assisting those with mental health challenges.
However, taking a daily freezing dip isn’t the only way the 37 year old is helping. Brown wears a different cap or hat for each dip, which he then auctions off on social media.
Every morning Brown sets up a ring light and films the daily ritual, which he then posts on TikTok, Facebook and Instagram with the tag @iceman.brown.
The intrepid Brown has already raised $1,000 and on day 25 of the effort he handed over a cheque to Music for the Mind (MFTM) founder Elisha Banks to help C-K residents facing mental health challenges.
The money will be used to support the non-profit’s concert Feb. 2 at the Chatham Portuguese Club. Money raised from the event will go to Family Service Kent to assist with counselling costs for youngsters and adults and help pay fees for expensive psychological assessments that can cost as much as $4,000. Chatham-Kent Victim Services is also getting some dollars to buy weighted blankets for those suffering from anxiety and gift cards to help purchase food and hygiene products to assist those in crisis.
Brown, who stopped drinking and using substances last year, has a new creed of clean living, noting he undertook the 365-day ice bath challenge as a way to hold himself accountable.
Plus, it keeps his focus razor sharp.
“The ice bath gives me clarity and the accountability through social media keeps me in the ice,” Brown explained from the backyard of his south Chatham home. “The hats were an idea I came up with to not only help myself, but to help others in need that may struggle with some of things I did, and do struggle with today.”
Transitioning from a life of substance abuse and alcoholism and replacing it with exercise, swimming and fitness is “big” for him, Brown added.
It’s a serious endeavor. Brown is running 20 kilometres a week for fun, with plans to take part in a 41-km marathon in Toronto in May.
He also plays volleyball, basketball and hockey on a weekly basis and has added yoga and meditation to his repertoire.
“Staying busy is key for me,” Brown said. “It keeps me on my toes and my brain busy, as ADD is a real thing for me.”
Brown, the father of a young daughter, has other ideas up his sleeve. The owner of Great Lakes Construction & More Ltd. excavating business is also in the process of developing a clothing line with plans to share the proceeds with agencies dedicated to mental health.
Banks said she’s pleased with Brown’s efforts and others like him who support their cause.
“It was a wonderful surprise when Colin reached out to me and said that he was going to be doing this for MFTM fundraiser,” Banks said. “To have people step up to support what we do and to do it just because their heart is in it and they want to make a difference, means so much to us. Because that’s what keeps us going.
“To have people who want to help us to help people in Chatham-Kent who struggle with mental health, that’s amazing,” she said.
The Music for the Mind Feb. 2 event features a host of live bands and a 50-50 draw. Tickets are $25. For more information, go to Music for the Mind on Facebook or call 519-437-5254.
