Time to get your cash in for Sunderland's Boxing Day Dip

Dippers taking part in the Sunderland Boxing Day dip held at Seaburn beach. Picture by FRANK REID

More than 750 people took the plunge at Seaburn this year, with hundreds more lining the beach and promenade to cheer the dippers on.

This year’s event – the 41st Annual Boxing Day Dip – saw almost £50,000 pledged for a wide range of charities and good causes.

Now organisers Sunderland Lions Club are urging fund-raisers to get their money in ahead of next month’s presentation evening.

The Lions Club organises the event each year and takes a percentage of the money raised from each year’s dip, which is then used to fund the group’s own causes, such as the annual Christmas Wish campaign, and distributed across Sunderland.

“All sponsor money collected for the Boxing Day Dip needs to be paid into the bank as soon as possible, and certainly by the end of February,” said Lions spokeswoman Anne Fielding.

“Only when the money is collected can we begin to send out the cheques to the various charities or organisations who will benefit from this year’s dip.

Julie Reay (front centre) and her fellow dippers in the North Sea as they take part in the Sunderland Boxing Day dip held at Seaburn beach. Picture by FRANK REID

“Paying-in slips were included in the brown envelope given to the team leaders following the dip.

“All prize winners will be invited to the Dip presentation evening on Wednesday, March 16, at The Chesters and in order to get letters out in time we need to know how much people have raised.

“Only then can the various charities benefit from their efforts.”