Big hearted Dolly Dippers do a dozen dips for a good cause
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Two Caithness women set off on a fundraising trip around the county on Saturday and raised over £2000 for the Caithness Heart Support Group (CHSG).
Jacqueline Mackay and Elaine Rosie are known as the Dolly Dippers and took up wild swimming in May as a challenge to their colleagues at Dounreay.
"Nobody thought we could do it as we are the coldest people in the office – our colleagues sitting in t-shirts and us in our fleeces," said Jacqueline.
"We got a buzz for it and now swim three times a week at different locations. We thought we would set ourselves a challenge to raise money for a great local charity, Caithness Heart Support Group.
The two intrepid swimmers set out on Saturday morning at 9am starting at Castlehill and continuing via Dunnet, Dwarick Pier, Brough Bay, Sannick Bay, Freswick, Keiss, Reiss, Ackergill, Staxigoe, the Trinkie and finally the North Baths in Wick. They were driven around the various locations by a support team headed up by Wick community councillor Alastair Ferrier.
A crowd of around 40 people turned up at the North Baths to welcome the swimmers after their gruelling day around the cold waters of the far north coastline.
Elaine said: "Twelve dips in twelve different locations around Caithness was a challenge, with us both having our ups and downs on the route but the support and encouragement from family, friends and colleagues we knew we would complete it."
A variety of people turned up at various venues throughout the day of dips and the support team kept the wild swimmers' spirits up and provided much needed sustenance.
"We have been overwhelmed by everyone’s generosity and hope to have a final total soon – it's far exceeded our expectations," said Jacqueline.
CHSG is a charity which occasionally raises funds for the purchase of equipment and services to be used for the benefit of people in Caithness who have cardiac problems.
All money raised is for the benefit of Caithness cardiac patients, and to date, the group has purchased several thousand pounds worth of equipment for local medical centres. During last year, CHSG provided cardiac equipment to Lybster Medical practice, Dunbar Hospital and Caithness General Hospital.
Robin More from CHSG was at the North Baths for the final swim and said: "They raised a good few pounds for the heart support group and it's terrific what they've done. They're helping save lives locally and it's just been a great day for all."
Alastair Ferrier posted updates on his Facebook page throughout the event as well as taking many of the pictures in this article. "The girls are overwhelmed with the funds coming in for Caithness Heart Support Group ... the donations are keeping their spirits going," he said midway through the event.
The Dolly Dippers said they sent out a "heartfelt thanks" to everyone who has supported and donated to the fundraiser.
Over £2000 has been raised by the Dolly Dippers, with £500 in private donations and over £1500 on a JustGiving page which currently exceeds the initial expectation by 604 per cent.
To donate to the Dolly Dippers fundraiser please visit the JustGiving page at: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/dollydippers
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