Hundreds brave Boxing Day dips in the north-east

The dip on Boxing Day has been a tradition at Seaburn in Sunderland since the 1970s

Hundreds of people braved the chill of the North Sea for an annual dip in aid of charities close to their hearts.

More than 750 of them ran into the bracing waves from The Stack in Seaburn, Sunderland.

The event, organised by the Sunderland Lions Club and the Red Sky Foundation, has been a tradition at Seaburn since the 1970s.

At England's most northerly beach, at Spittal, Berwick-upon-Tweed, hundreds also took the plunge.

Last year, about 300 people took part in the Seaburn event, but this year more than 750 signed up

Sergio Pettrucci, MBE, founded the Red Sky Foundation after his daughter underwent life-saving heart surgery in 2015.

It raises money to buy equipment, such as defibrillators, to treat people with heart conditions.

He said: "It was fabulous to see all these people come down here today to celebrate Boxing Day, it's just what we do best.

"I'm ecstatic with the turn out of people to enjoy a great day.

"The spectators have also turned out in their droves to enjoy it.

"It's the best feeling in the world seeing all those smiling faces, so if you've missed out this year, get yourself signed up for next year."

Peter Spain took part in the event with Macie Bosher in memory of her father and his friend Adam Bosher, who died of a stroke

Last year, the event raised more than £40,000 for causes throughout the region with 300 participants.

Mr Pettrucci said he hoped that with more than double the participants in 2023, the event would raise even more money.

The Sunderland Lions Club had been running the event since it began, but teamed up with the Red Sky Foundation last year in a bid to attract greater numbers of dippers.

Jacqueline Robson from the club said: "The dip gives the lovely people of Sunderland and the North East the chance to get out and raise money for charities that are very dear to their hearts.

"We are hoping to build on the success of this year."

At Berwick, dippers donned colourful costumes to run into the water

Peter Spain did the dip to raise money for The Stroke Association in memory of his friend Adam Bosher who died in 2020.

He said: "The conditions were fresh and I got hit in the chest by a big wave which took the wind out of me, but it was great.

"Once you get in it's freezing and it doesn't get any warmer, but it's fantastic."

People who turned up at the event in Berwick were entertained by piper Andrew Smith who played as the dippers ran into the water.

They were watched by volunteers from the RNLI who were on standby to make sure they were safe.

Festive dippers took to the water along the North sea Coast to raise money for charities