Little Mix star Jade Thirlwall joins crowds at annual South Shields Boxing Day Dip for Cancer Connections before birthday party at the Red Door

Jade joined many others on her 27th birthday to raise money for the charity at the South Shields Boxing Day Dip.

She has taken part in the event at Littlehaven Beach on Boxing Day since it began.

Jade told the Gazette: “I would never miss it each year. It was freezing as usual but definitely worth it.”

“I went for a reindeer this year and I was a snowman last year. It’s hard to think of something new every time.”

The singer has been involved with the charity since she was young and tries to support the charity whenever she can.

She said: “I used to gig for them. I lost two loved ones to cancer and if it wasn’t for Cancer Connections, it would have been a lot worse for me so I’m always grateful for them and I’ll always do everything I can to support them.

“I just think it’s an amazing charity. There’s not many charities like it that support not just people who suffer with cancer but family and friends. There’s so many services available through cancer connections that do make a difference.

“It’s really important to support them and I hope today has raised a lot of money for them.”

Jade told the Gazette that she would go home and have a bath then continue to celebrate her birthday at Red Door, her own bar in South Shields.

Cancer Connections patron Josef Craig MBE thanked Jade for her support. He said: “Jade’s brilliant. She’s always here despite her busy schedule and with it being on her birthday, that’s commendable. She deserves all of the credit for it.

“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.”