Hardy souls brave icy seas to raise hundreds for lifeboats

TEMPERATURES took a dip – but so did some 60 brave souls who dashed into the sea at Charmouth on Christmas Day.

Swimmers in fancy dress ignored the snow to take the plunge and raise around �1,000 just in beach collections, with individual sponsorship still to be counted.

New landlord of the Royal Oak, Richard Grundy took on the pub’s 38-year-old tradition of organising the event this year in aid of the lifeboats.

He said that while the collections on the day were slightly down – probably due to the present economic climate - everyone should be pleased with what they got.

The Grundy family are long-time supporters of the RNLI. and among the swimmers was their son Phillip, 25, a Royal Marine, who was dressed as a woman.

Despite the freezing temperatures, there were grass skirts, Hawaiian garlands, and sombreros, as well as the ‘England cricket team’, complete with umpire, wickets and sun cream.

Amongst the most elegant swimmers were brother and sister Tricia and Charlie Woods, who took to the freezing briny in evening dress.

Mr Grundy has asked to express his thanks to David and Hilary Munday who did a lot of the organising.