NEW Year's Day got off to a lively start for hundreds of swimmers who braved the icy North Sea off Whitley Bay.
The traditional January 1 early morning dip was well attended by serious swimmers and charity fundraisers wearing fancy dress.
Spectators took the opportunity to blow the cobwebs away and cheer the daring souls as they splashed around in the sea.
For Ken and Becky Grainger of Trimdon Station, County Durham, the dip was the first of 12 charity events they have planned with their friends for 2012.
The group are raising money for five causes including Sands, Macmillan Nurses and the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.
Ken, an energy broker, said: “It wasn’t as cold as I thought it would be, to be honest.”
Becky, 27, who works for GlaxoSmith- Kline, said: “It’s all good fun and it goes a lot quicker than you expect it will.
“I got my hair wet and that was my promise to people so I’ll be sure to get my sponsor money now. We’re going to have a busy year and that was a brilliant way to start.”
Family and friends of five-year-old Archie Anderson donned fancy dress to take part in support of Archie’s Dream.
Archie, from Ashington, has cerebral palsy and has been accepted for major surgery in America. His family and friends are trying to raise £50,000 to pay for the operation.
His mother Marie said she was pleased to see so many friends, neighbours and work colleagues on the beach to support the family.
Archie’s next-door neighbour John Randall, 31, was dressed as Superman for the dip. He said: “It was absolutely freezing but we’ve had a good time with all sorts of outfits like Batman and the 118 runners.”
Stephen and Kirstie O’Neill from Cramlington made a late decision to join the dip as part of their ongoing efforts to support the Scott Bell Fund.
The fund supports former Blyth Spartans footballer Scott, 33, and the Motor Neurone Disease Association after he was diagnosed with the disease last May.
Stephen, a 33-year-old quantity surveyor, said: “At half past 10 last night over a couple of glasses of champagne we decided it would be a good idea to raise some more for the fund.
“We’ve raised about £400 so far since we decided to do it.”
Kirstie, 32, who works in sport for adults with learning difficulties, said: “I’ve never done it before and it was freezing but it’s great to raise more awareness of the fund.”
