Hardy fundraisers urged to sign up for Hartlepool Boxing Day Dip

Participants at last year's Boxing Day dip event at Seaton Carew. Picture by Tom Collins

The 45th annual Boxing Day Dip will take place at Seaton Carew on Monday, December 26, and organisers are encouraging participants to register now.

Last year’s dip was another success and raised thousands of pounds for local charities.

Ken Hay(left) and Garry Waugh of Hartlepool RNLI with two of the participants at the Boxing Day dip event at Seaton Carew. Picture by Tom Collins

Hartlepool Round Table is organising the event which takes place from The Staincliffe Hotel on the sea front.

Mark Rycraft, chairman of the Round Table, said: “This will be our fourth year organising the dip.

“We believe it is a valuable event for the local community. When the Hartlepool Lions came to us for help we gladly stepped in to keep the tradition alive.

“It is immensely successful and popular year after year and we have great fun organising it.”

It costs £5 per person to register, which goes towards the running costs and charities supported by the Round Table.

Dippers can then raise money for their own chosen charities by downloading sponsor forms from the Boxing Day Dip website.

Mark added: “It is a great opportunity to raise money for a cause or charity close to people’s own hearts. “We are encouraging people to register now to avoid queuing on the day. Also by registering it means you are taking part in a properly-organised event.”

In common with previous years, fancy dress, although not obligatory, is encouraged to add to the fun atmosphere of the day.

Every registered dipper will also be given a collectible wristband to keep.

Registration on the day opens at 10am and the parade to the beach will set off at 11.30am.

Round Table marshals will be on hand to help people, and Hartlepool’s RNLI always keep an eye on dippers’ safety in the sea.

For full details go to www.boxingdaydip.org