Swimmers take the plunge for Jersey charities

BBC About a hundred swimmers getting into the sea, some wearing christmas hats. The beach is foggy.BBC
Swimmers took the plunge at Ouaisné bay to raise money for two Jersey charities

Swimmers in Jersey have celebrated Christmas with a daring dip to raise money for two local charities.

People arrived at Ouaisné Bay wrapped up, but were soon down to just their swimming costumes in aid of end-of-life charity Jersey Hospice Care and Love Thy Neighbour, a Christian organisation supporting people in need.

The annual Ouaisné swim, organised by education specialists The Edwin Group, was one of several around the island.

Love Thy Neighbour volunteer Ruth Corzon said it was a "lovely" occasion and thanked swimmers for their generosity.

Ruth Curzon is an older woman wearing a furry hat and coat, she is holding a Love Thy Neighbour collection bucket. She is standing on the beach with swimmers behind her.
Ruth Curzon was collecting donations for Christian charity Love Thy Neighbour

Lee Wells, who usually goes to the Havre des Pas Christmas Day swim, said: "Initially it's very, very cold but you settle down and everyone's screaming - it's just great fun."

Angela Mariani agreed it was "absolutely freezing" but "really refreshing".

"It's such a lovely thing to do on Christmas Day... it just starts the day off with a bang before we go and eat and drink too much," she said.

Martin Tupper is a middle-aged man with no shirt on, wearing a red wig. Max is a younger man with dark hair, with no shirt on and a silver chain. They are standing on the beach with swimmers in the sea behind them.
Max Tupper (right) said he had to get in the sea when his father Martin did

Max Tupper said he nearly pulled out of the swim but soon followed his father into the water.

Tony and Margaret Osmont, who were collecting money for Jersey Hospice Care, said they helped with fundraising for the charity wherever possible.

Mrs Osmont said they wanted to give back because cancer had affected both their lives.

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