Freezing dip was a n-ice start to year
The dippers, many of them attired in comical fancy dress clothing, blew away the cobwebs on New’s Year Day by paddling in the Irish Sea.
Organised again this year by Fleetwood Kite Club, this year’s event was raising vital funds for the town’s RNLI.
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Hide AdAfter the dip the brave participants dried off in the kite club’s changing facilities and then got themselves warmed up with refreshments from Dave’s Cafe, which is next to the club.
Phil Gibson, of Fleetwood Kite Club, says people who have thought about giving it a try but didn’t get round to it this time should try it next year.
He said: “ It’s a brilliant way to liven New Year’s Day up.
“I was really pleased with the way it turned out.
“We cheekily joked that people shouldn’t cheat by wearing a wet suit - and they didn’t!
“The number of people supporting was great and we had some really fun costumes.
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Hide Ad“We don’t know how much money has been raised yet but last year we managed to raised over £1,300 so we hope to match that - or even beat it.”
The dip has become something of a tradition in Fleetwood and various versions of the event have been held since the 1990s - helping numerous good causes along the way.
Last year’s dip raised an impressive £1,360, with £1,000 of that fund going towards the Cystic Fibrosis Trust charity, and the remaining £360 being used to kick-start Fleetwood Gym’s on-going campaign for a new minibus.