Cheered on by hundred of well-wishers, dozens of hardy souls braved the chilly waves to take part in the 30th Aldeburgh Boxing Day Swim, an annual event which has raised thousands of pounds for deserving causes.
The event was started in 1988 by local GP Dr Kev Hopayian to raise money for the victims of the earthquake which had devastated Armenia earlier that year. Over the next 10 years or so, hundreds of pounds were raised for Armenian medical charities. In the early days of the event, just half a dozen or so swimmers would turn up on the beach, strip down, brave the waves – and then retire to warm up with a group hug and hot chocolate, or possibly something stronger, in one of the local pubs or hotels.
This year’s event is expected to raise more than £3,000 with the money divided between the RNLI, Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders), and EACH (East Anglia’s Children’s Hospice).
Further details about how to make your donation can be found online
The above photographs were kindly supplied by SUSIE POTTER.
