Valentine’s Day Dip Raises Over £40,000

Over £40,000 has been raised for St Elizabeth Hospice, as supporters took part in the charity’s Valentine’s Day Dip, following last year’s Christmas Day Dip being postponed due to adverse weather.

The rescheduled event saw over 200 ‘dippers’ don a range of fancy dress outfits before plunging into the icy North Sea at Felixstowe to raise funds, through sponsorship, for the hospice which every year delivers free care to over 4,000 patients and their families throughout East & Mid- Suffolk, Great Yarmouth and Waveney.

James Fox-Golding, Events and Challenges Manager at the hospice, said: “A huge well done and thank you to all our incredible dippers who showed their love for their local hospice by taking part in our Valentine’s Day Dip.

“A special thank you also to our wonderful supporters and volunteers, whose efforts made the event possible and created such a great atmosphere.

“It was a fantastic morning that raised vital funds for our services, which provide care to so many people across our local community.”

The St Elizabeth Hospice Valentine’s Day Dip took place on Saturday 14 February at 10.30am, opposite Mannings Amusement on Felixstowe seafront, with sea temperatures coming in at a chilly 5 degrees Celsius.

Two brave dippers, who took the plunge for St Elizabeth Hospice, were sisters Emma Lockwood and Sian Hillier, (pictured below) with Sian travelling all the way from Wales to take part in the dip alongside her sister.

Emma said: “One of my best friends died under the hospice’s fantastic care six years ago. He always took part in the charity’s fundraising dip, so since then I have pledged to take part in the dip in his honour.

“Today has had a fantastic atmosphere. A real buzz and it is just brilliant to support such an important local cause.”

Sian added: “The journey to be here today is totally worth it. I am here to support my sister. Whatever is important to her, is important to me. It has been brilliant event and a great way to start your day!