Taking the plunge with Young Lives vs Cancer

Over 500 swimmers welcomed in 2024 with an icy dip all for a good cause.

On a crisp winter’s day, the last thing you might think about is plunging into the chilly Cornish waters, yet this New Year’s Day saw over 500 swimmers gather eagerly at Newquay Harbour. This year marked the tenth anniversary of DIP for CLIC, a charity dip organised by Jos and Andy Cole to raise as many funds as possible for Young Lives vs Cancer. This is the only charity in the UK with social workers who dedicate their time to provide tailored psychosocial support to children and young people with cancer and their families.

This year saw dippers wearing an array of colourful fancy dress costumes and swimwear for the occasion with a spokesperson for Newquay Young Lives vs Cancer saying: “It is fantastic that so many members of our community support our event and what a great way to start 2024. Some of our Dippers have taken part since the very first DIP, and it is great to see so many old friends return time and time again.”

As anticipation for the big moment built, an official countdown began and shortly after, dippers ran into the water where they paddled, dipped and swam under the watchful eyes of Newquay Surf Life Saving Lifeguards. The willing participants were joined by the largest crowd to date who clapped and cheered encouragingly until the very last swimmer came out of the water.

A total of more than £4,500 was raised for Young Lives vs Cancer including entry money, sponsorship and donations which will all go towards providing care and support for children receiving treatment and their families. A cancer diagnosis is life changing and the impact of cancer is far more than medical, often affecting education, social lives and mental health. Because of the differences between this diagnosis in children and adults, children often need special treatment in certain hospitals miles away; the nearest principal treatment centre for Cornish children is 165 miles away in Bristol, so these funds are guaranteed to get the young people of Cornwall into the right hands.

EXPERIENCE

Firmly on the Newquay Twixmas calendar, plans are already underway for a bigger and better New Year’s Day Dip for CLIC 2025. Make sure to put the date in your diary and challenge yourself in aid of this wonderful charity.

Newquay BID

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