Jade Thirlwall and dozens of fundraisers brave the freezing cold for Cancer Connections Boxing Day Dip

Spectators lined up at Littlehaven Beach, in South Shields, to cheer on the dippers.

After a year off due to Covid, charity boss Deborah Roberts was excited to welcome back the crowds – and the much-needed cash the popular event brings in to support the charity’s activities across South Tyneside.

"We normally raise between £15,000 and £20,000, so the Dip has been a big miss and we are absolutely delighted to be able to welcome everyone back this year,” she said.

"It has been a fantastic day and we have had has been a really good turn-out, even though the weather has been so bad.

"We want to thank everybody who helps to make the dip happen – without people like T3 security, the Littlehaven Hotel, the volunteer life brigade and South Tyneside Homes, it would not be possible.

"And most of all we want to thank the public for their support.”

Paralympic gold medallist Josef Craig and Little Mix star Jade were also on hand.

Jade, who was celebrating her 29th birthday, is a regular at the event.

“I have been involved with Cancer Connections since I was a teenager – I used to sing at all of their fund-raisers, so it has been a big part of my life,” he said.

"I feel very honoured that I can that since becoming famous, I can use that to raise the profile of Cancer Connections.

“Over the years, I have had two family members pass away from cancer who have relied on support from Cancer Connections, so it just started out very organically but I have been so grateful for their help.

“They are a vital charity in the North East.”

The team behind South Tyneside music festival Rosiefest handed over a cheque for more than £3,000 before the dip;

Covid has put paid to live events, but fund-raising has continued on-line.

Organiser Natalie Lascelles has been taking part in the dip for years and was delighted to be back : “It is just a lovely, friendly atmosphere,” she said.

Support your Gazette and become a subscriber today.

Enjoy unlimited access to all of our news and sport, see fewer ads, experience faster load times, test your brain with daily puzzles and get access to exclusive newsletters.

Your support for our journalism means we can continue telling South Tyneside’s stories for generations to come. Click here to subscribe - and click here to get a snapshot of the Gazette’s news and sport to your inbox through our email newsletters.