Hundreds gather on South Shields seafront for 2019’s Boxing Day dip

Shortly before 11am on Thursday, December 26, a crowd of colourful costumes formed on the South Shields seafront for the Cancer Connections Boxing Day dip.

Spirits were high despite the cold weather and plenty of money is set to be raised for Cancer Connections and other charities close to people’s hearts.

Spectators gathered to watch dippers dressed as santas, crayons, elves, captains and even Little Mix’s Jade dressed as a reindeer run into the sea.

Davy Chambers, a member of the band Rivelino, took part with other members dressed as crayons for Cancer Connections. He said: “We do a lot of things for the charity and we’re performing tonight at The Trimmers Arms too.

“The lads have done it in the previous years but this is my first year. It’s been good and I’ve enjoyed it.”

Rivelino are also set to do a charity gig at Jade Thirlwall’s bar, Red Door, in South Shields on January 11 for Cancer Connections.

Donations for charity will continue to roll in and some were given to dippers on the day.

Richard Young took part with a group of his friends and family dressed as captains and sailors for Maggie's Cancer Care Centre for Tanya Abid’s father, Ali who has cancer. Richard said: “They have been an amazing help so we wanted to support them too.

“We’ve already raised over £700 already and we put £70 in for the RNLI as a donation. Ali is a ship’s captain and he sails container ships all over the world so we dressed up as captains with some of his gear.”

The event has been hailed another success.

Cancer Connections patron Josef Craig MBE said: “I’m here at the Boxing Day dip every year to either start it or be involved myself. It’s a great event and it’s one of my favourites of the year.

“There’s been a good turn out. A lot of people turn up to this event because it’s very important. Cancer is something that nobody can escape from in terms of affecting lives so to support this charity is really important.”