The TV presenter and fashion designer lost his father, Frank, to a stroke in 2017.
Stripping off for an icy sea swim, Courtney said the charity’s work is personal to him, not only because of his father’s death, but because he manages his own high blood pressure.
“My father was a very funny man with a great sense of humour and while the stroke slowed him down, it didn’t take his sense of fun, and I miss that every day,” he said.
Courtney braved the Irish Sea to promote the Irish Heart Foundation’s “12 Dips in December” challenge, supported by Daybreak, which calls on people across Dublin to take 12 dips — in open water, a pool, or even an ice bath — throughout the month.
“I swim most days, it is such a leveller, it brings you right into your body and holds you in the present, it is also great for your immune system and general mental health,” he said.
“You never regret a sea swim, especially when it’s about raising awareness to help save people’s lives.”
The presenter lost his own father to a stroke in 2017 and says he misses his sense of humour every day
The charity is asking people to register and begin fundraising at its dedicated online platform, where participants log each of their 12 dips.
Funds raised will support efforts to prevent heart disease and stroke and increase cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training across the country.
Janine Watson, Head of Retail Sales with Musgrave Wholesale Partners, operators of the Daybreak retail franchise, said the company is pleased to support the initiative.
“At Daybreak, we’re incredibly proud to support the Irish Heart Foundation’s 12 Dips in December challenge,” she said.
“Community is at the heart of everything we do, and this initiative is a fantastic way to bring our retailers and their teams together across Ireland, have some fun, and raise vital funds for heart health.
“We’re excited to see the impact we can make by rallying local communities around such an important cause.”
Irish Heart Foundation CEO Emma Balmaine said the fundraising drive plays a crucial role in keeping services running.
“In addition, they support patient services such as counselling and our Nurse Support Line, advocacy and health promotion work,” she said.
“We’re hugely grateful to Daybreak for their support and to all those who are getting involved; every dip makes a difference!”