Are you brave enough to take a dip in the cold North sea this Christmas morning for a good cause?
Join St Elizabeth Hospice and hundreds of other hospice supporters for the annual Christmas Day Dip – what better way to begin the festivities!
Every year around 400 people start their holiday celebrations on Felixstowe beach and at 10am when the horn sounds they run into the freezing sea to raise money for the local hospice.
Catherine Sheppard, St Elizabeth Hospice’s events and challenges fundraiser, said: “The Christmas Day Dip is in its 12th year and it’s still such a popular event. It’s a tradition now for families and friends to come down to the beach on Christmas morning and join together to take a dip or watch from pier as their loved ones run into the cold sea.
“There’s always such a great atmosphere at the event, not only with the hundreds of people taking part, but with the thousands who turn out to watch. A lot of people do it in memory of their loved ones who were cared for by the hospice, and all the sponsorship money raised from the event goes towards improving life for local people living with a progressive illness.”
The event was launched this month with the help of Disney’s Frozen characters, Elsa and Olaf.
Miss Sheppard added: “We get a lot of people dressing up to take part. We see all sorts, from people dressed as turkeys and Christmas trees, to others in their penguin onesies or even a mankini! This year we were joined by Olaf and Elsa to launch the event – and we attracted quite a bit of attention as Olaf lay on the sand, draped in tinsel. We expect to see quite a few Frozen characters on Christmas morning ready to run into the sea.”
Anyone from the age of 13 upwards can take part for just £5, or £10 with a T-shirt.
You can register in advance at www.stelizabethhospice.org.uk/events or on the day from 8.30am on Felixstowe beach, opposite Mannings Amusements.
With thanks to Victoria Charles-Saker from One Wish Entertainment, Chuckles, Felixstowe, and Mark Bailey Photography for supporting the event.