Boxing Day dip has Caithness revellers all shook up
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ALMOST £10,000 was raised by around 70 hardy adults and children who took part in the second Dip with a Nip charity event in Thurso on Boxing Day.
The event, which raises money for CLIC Sargent – the UK’s leading children’s cancer charity – attracted a host of people in a variety of unusual and unseasonal costumes.
They had an initial warm-up before four-year-old Faith Marshall, from Thurso, and Cameron Armstrong, of Halkirk, who have both had battles with cancer set them on their way towards Thurso Bay.
Afterwards the participants got a warming nip at the beach courtesy of Wick-based Pulteney Distillery.
Walter Duff, from Thurso, was there for the second year but on this occasion he discarded his mankini for an Elvis Presley costume. “It was not as cold as it was last year. The weather conditions were a lot better although it was a bit windier this year. I was very happy with how things went down although the turnout was down on last year. I expected there would be more here,” he said.
Mr Duff raised around £300 in just a few days, most of which came from his work colleagues.
Fiona Macleod, of Duncanshill, Weydale, was also taking part again this year along with her 11-year-old daughter, Morven.
“I thought it went really well. There were not as many people as last year but there was still a good turnout, especially when you think it was being held on Boxing Day when a lot of people could have been sitting in the front of the TV with a box of chocolates and a glass of wine,” she told the Caithness Courier.
Mrs Macleod was happy to take part again as the Dip with a Nip raises money for a good cause. She enjoyed the dram of Old Pulteney liqueur afterwards and, with a laugh, said her only regret was that there was no men in mankinis this year.
Her daughter, Morven, “really enjoyed” taking part for the second time. Although her feet were cold she said the weather conditions were colder last year.
Natalie Marshall, the founder and chairwoman of the Caithness fundraising committee for CLIC Sargent, said Monday’s event “went really well”.
She acknowledged there were fewer people taking part this year but felt that could have been due to the event not being as well advertised as last year.
But, overall, she was pleased with the turnout and the response from the public.
“It has been a very, very good day. We had better weather conditions and everything seemed to go more smoothly this year. As soon as the dippers got out of the sea they got their nip and then got warmed up,” she said.
The event has its base at the Salvation Army Hall which is situated near the beach. “Last year we were unable to use the top part but this year we had the whole building and that, too, made a difference,” she said.
Mrs Marshall also noted there were more children involved this year. “They enjoyed being part of it and that was lovely to see,” she added.
Peter Logie, CLIC Sargent’s community fundraising manager for Highlands and Islands and Moray, was delighted with the response to the event.
“We would hope to raise about £10,000 this year but whatever amount is raised is a plus. All the money the dippers bring in is used for CLIC Sargent’s work because we’ve got all our costs covered by the Dounreay Community Fund which is very generous of them,” he said.
Mr Logie, who is based in Inverness, said numbers were down this year with about 70 hardy adults and children taking part.
“We had 100 people taking part last year and they raised nearly £18,000 which was fantastic. But then that was our inaugural event here. All dips tend to go down the second year and we were a bit late in the day promoting it this year but we are delighted with the overall response,” he said.
“It was a bit windier this year. Last year we were chipping ice off the steps down to the beach. At least we did not have to do that this morning.”
Mr Logie was impressed with the amount of money raised by the participants and pointed out Team Lovely raised over £3000 by organising a number of events, including a pub collection and mini bakes.
“Last year they raised £2500 but they have managed to beat that this year which is magnificent,” he said.
Mountain rescuers offer help
CLIC Sargent’s Peter Logie praised the efforts of the Assynt Mountain Rescue Team, the local kayaking club and divers for helping to ensure the dip went smoothly.
“We could not run it without these guys because you have got to have the safety features in place,” he said. He pointed out a number of Dip with a Nip events took place around Scotland on Boxing Day.
Tom Ross, of the Assynt Mountain Rescue Team, which provided first aid cover for those taking part, said: “Everything went well. There were no problems at all. It is important for those who go into the water to get warmed up quickly. They need to get out of the wet stuff and into the warm clothes as quickly as possible.”
After their dip the participants got a nip and enjoyed soup, teas and coffees in the Salvation Army Hall. There was a presentation and award ceremony in the Central Hotel later in the afternoon.
