Charity fundraiser Kerry gears up to take part in Boxing Day dip

A brave charity fundraiser is preparing to take on the annual Boxing Day dip to raise funds for St Clare's Hospice '“ and wants hundreds more to join her.
Kerry McGow is to take part in St Clare's Boxing Day Dip.Kerry McGow is to take part in St Clare's Boxing Day Dip.
Kerry McGow is to take part in St Clare's Boxing Day Dip.

Kerry McGow is all set to run into the sea off South Shields on December 26 in a bid to raise £200 for the charity which provides palliative care to people in South Tyneside.

The 45-year-old, from Etal Crescent, Low Simonside, South Shields, said this year will be the third time she has taken to the water to raise cash for patient care at the hospice.

How about taking part in a Boxing Day dip? Dippers pictured at Littlehaven on December 26, 2015.How about taking part in a Boxing Day dip? Dippers pictured at Littlehaven on December 26, 2015.
How about taking part in a Boxing Day dip? Dippers pictured at Littlehaven on December 26, 2015.
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Kerry first joined in with the dip after friend Angela Elliott, 45, was diagnosed with skin cancer, and after entering remission a team got together to celebrate and raise money for charity.

This year she will be dipping with five of her friends dressed as superwoman and is urging others to support the hospice event by signing up.

“I can’t wait until this year’s Boxing Day Dip. I love all the fancy dress costumes,” she said.

“I always do the dip with my best friend and it’s a great day to raise money for a worthwhile cause.”

Participants in last year's Boxing Day DipParticipants in last year's Boxing Day Dip
Participants in last year's Boxing Day Dip
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Cancer has always been a big part of Kerry’s life after losing her mother Christine Eaves to lung cancer at the age of 36, and she was just 13.

Since then numerous friends and family have been affected by the disease and St Clare’s Hospice has become a charity close to her heart.

Kerry has also participated in different events provided by St. Clare’s including her most recent challenge, which involved zip sliding from the Baltic of Contemporary Arts to the Sage in the dark, raising £219.

She is now on a mission to get others to support the hospice and has recently signed up to do the Jolly Jumper Day at EJ’s café, at the Denmark Centre, where she currently works.

Last year's Boxing Day dipLast year's Boxing Day dip
Last year's Boxing Day dip
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Tyler Anderson, fundraiser for St. Clare’s said: “The event is so much fun but people really take their fundraising seriously as all the money raised goes towards patients who have a life-limiting condition.

“We have participants that ‘dip’ every year but we always welcome new ‘dippers’ to join in and brave the North Sea!”

To donate to Kerry, search for her name on JustGiving.