Hundreds of skinny sunbathers stripped off their clothes and ran into the freezing North Sea this morning to raise money for charity.
Around 1,200 brave souls took to the cold waters for the North East Skinny Dip at Druridge Bay in Northumberland for the 12th year in a row.
Men and women, of varying ages, enjoyed their morning jumping into the icy water at dawn in calm conditions.
At the charity fundraiser, participants camped overnight before being entertained by fire dancers in the morning and preparing to strip naked in the freezing sea.
Hundreds of skinny sunbathers stripped off their clothes and ran into the freezing North Sea this morning to raise money for charity.
Men and women, of different ages, enjoyed their morning jumping into the icy water at dawn in calm conditions.
The dip, which has become an annual mainstay since its launch in 2012, accepts donations and raises money for mental health charity MIND and is organized by Jax Higginson.
Sherrill Bacchus, 46, drove from Surrey in her camper to take part.
The festival’s traffic management worker said: ‘It was absolutely brilliant.
‘This was my fourth year coming and I came from Surrey to be here.
‘I drove here because it is a very liberating and empowering morning. I love it.
‘The sunrise was amazing too, so it was brilliant.
‘Jax, the organizer, is such a beautiful soul and it’s a great cause.
‘It’s such a beautiful beach with a fabulous sunrise.
“They all strip naked and run into the sea together, which is incredible.
“It was pretty cold this morning, but it always is. I swim in open water, so it was fine for me, but the conditions were good.
“We don’t know exactly what the numbers were, but there were a lot of people there.”
Lee Walker also assisted in her role as fundraising coordinator for Mind on Tyneside and Northumberland Mind.
The 56-year-old sold T-shirts to raise funds before taking part in the swim herself.
She said: ‘This is our sixth year doing this.
‘We have raised around £140,000 in the last six years, which is amazing and makes a huge difference.
‘This is our biggest fundraiser of the year. It’s even bigger than Great North Run.
‘We hope to have raised around £20,000 from today’s event alone, but we will wait and see.
“There was a big crowd there today, so it was great for us.
‘We have merchandise that day, but much of the money comes from participants who commit to donating.
‘This event is something people do for their own mental health and wellbeing.
‘You get a really good feeling and it’s great for body positivity.
‘We see this event as restoring body confidence and making people realize they should be proud of themselves.
‘It’s great that everyone has come together. “Everyone is clapping and applauding, which is amazing.”
