Sunderland sunrise swim to mark International Women's Day and help Wearside's most in need

Swimmers of all ages and genders will meet at 6.30am on Sunday, March 8, next to Little Italy at Seaburn, ready for a 6.38am dash into the water.

It is being planned by members of Roker’s Fausto Bathing Club to tie in with other swims around the country, with sponsorship and donations to be collected for Wearside Women in Need.

Among them will be Karen Parry, who will record an episode of her Swim Wild Podcast to be shared later that day.

She got involved after Anna Deacon, who led an International Women's Day dip in Edinburgh last year, suggested groups hold their own this time round.

Karen said: “In my experience, wild swimming has way more women doing it than men.

“Through wild swimming I have met some of the most unique, creative, friendly, brave, eccentric, accepting and non-judgemental women.

“No one cares about shape or size. No one cares what you wear, what you look like or where you come from.

“They care that you get in the water and have a good time. It is a very supportive community.

“It just seemed obvious to me that we should support Anna, co-author of Taking the Plunge, to raise money for such a worthy, women-focused cause.

“The Fausto Bathers have a smaller sub-group of sunrise swimmers, and you can guarantee that a few from this group will be at Seaburn every day, rain or shine.

“We also hope that the promise of fancy dress, a fire on the beach and cake will encourage others to get out of bed earlier than usual.”

Lois Robinson is also pulling together the plans, which will see people share photos with the hashtag #IWDSWIMRISE.

She said: “Fausto Bathers aim to celebrate the day, by raising money and collating unwanted items for families in refuge, by getting dressed up and then going for a swim, a plodge, body board or do what ever we want to do, in the sea.

“We will be wearing ball gowns, suits, fancy dress, wetsuits, bathing costumes, it will look fantastic.”