AROUND 600 people dashed into the sea on Christmas morning to raise tens of thousands of pounds for charity.
More than 400 people registered in advance for the White Christmas Dip, which took place near Boscombe Pier and, with around another 200 joining in on the day, a total of at least 600 braved the chilly waters.
Most wore fancy dress, with Christmas outfits aplenty, along with some more risqué examples.
See more than 50 pictures from the event here.
The event raises cash for the Macmillan Caring Locally Unit at Christchurch Hospital.
Organiser Tom Baker said: “It started seven years ago with just six of us. We all charged in on the spur of the moment just for a bit of fun and it’s spiralled out of control from there.
“This year we’ve had online registrations throughout the year, with the first ones back in August.
“Our target is £35,000; I’m optimistic that we will get that and hopefully we will get a little bit more, but I won’t know until February or March.”
While hundreds took the plunge, thousands more watched on as they enjoyed a sunny Christmas morning.
The inspiration for the event was Tom’s uncle, John White, who was diagnosed with cancer in 2008.
Trust secretary for Macmillan Caring Locally, Neal Williams, said: “The Macmillan White Christmas Dip has raised thousands of pounds for the Macmillan Unit over the years. We are so grateful to John, Tommy, their family and friends, who started this event in 2008, and to all those who have taken part and given so generously.”
Bournemouth Spartans
ALSO taking a festive dip on Christmas Day were Bournemouth Spartans, who have marked Christmas Day every year since 1951 by enjoying a swim.
On Christmas Day this year around 25 swimmers took to the waters, after Bournemouth mayor Cllr Chris Mayne had judged the fancy dress competition.
See our pictures from the Spartans' swim here.
And he dipped his toes as well. Afterwards, he said: “It was lovely, I thought it might have been colder than it was, but once I was in the water it was fine.”
The club swims each Sunday during its seven-month winter swimming season and raises cash for good causes throughout that time.
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