Charity Benefits From Annual North Sea Skinny Dip

Just a couple of thoughts before we go any further. If you are all year to arrange an annual skinny dip, is it wise to hold it as autumn is upon us, and more to the point, would it be better to hold it somewhere slightly warmer than the North Sea?

Peaceful Druridge Bay

Well I think that the answer to both those questions is the same answer that you would get if you asked any of the participants of the North East Skinny Dip that has just taken place at Druridge Bay in Northumberland, and that would be that the colder and more unforgiving the better.

The fact that those taking part, and they ranged from ages 5 to 72, have paid £10 for the “privilege” means that charities benefit. This year the mental health charity Mind took a share of the estimated £2,000 raised, with another allocation going to conservation work at the National Trust.

The organisers had hoped that they might beat the world record of 506 participants, but it was not to be. The event is timed to coincide with the autumn equinox, which marks the transition from summer to winter. The start time of 6.45 in the morning is also another reason to wonder at what is going on.

Health worker Jacqueline Higginson organised the fundraiser after taking part in a record dip in Wales in 2011.

She said: "It’s about taking a risk, celebrating our unique bodies, being close to nature, raising money for charity and maybe even breaking a world record."

Our editing team have chosen the accompanying photograph carefully, showing the delights of Druridge Bay on a normal day. If you want to see anything different, I suggest that you join in next year’s event – at your peril!