Dipping deep for charity funds

Some 2,700 has been presented from this year's revived new year's day dip.

The money was gained in sponsorship by the 44 dippers for the minute or so they spent in the water.

Many of those who took part were at the Royal Norfolk Hotel to receive the results of their backing from the organisers at the Bognor Regis Lions Club.

Among them were members of the 30-strong Dirty Low Down Dubbers club of VW owners. Founder Vicky Salisbury said 11 of them had braved the water on January 1 for the first time.

She said: "It was absolutely freezing. It was quite a shock, though it was not as bad as I was expecting.

"We were discussing going into the sea for the new year and then found out the Lions were organising their dip. We decided to join that to raise money for some good causes. We are probably going to do it again next year, possibly with more members. So, the cold didn't scare us off that much."

The money the club members raised '“ about 1,200 '“ has gone to charities such as St Wilfrid's Hospice, Epilsepy Research, Cancer Research UK, and Naomi House and Chestnut Tree House children's hospices.

Also present at the presentation were teenage players from Bognor RFC who took part in the dip to raise money for the club's Easter tour to Antwerp by 31 players aged 16 to 18 and 14 adults.

Lions press officer Richard Lions said about 1,600 was raised for various charities at the dip.

Big dip was nearly scrapped

Bognor's new year's day dip was on the verge of being scrapped for good, Bognor Regis Lions Club press officer Richard Johns has revealed.

The Lions had decided to stop holding the January 1 fun occasion late last year because of a lack of interest and were about to announce the decision.

But a letter from Bognor Regis Yacht Club arrived the next day stating its willingness to carry on hosting the event. Within days, Bognor RFC contacted him to say it wanted to join in with up to 30 players.

Mr Johns quickly approached those who had been put on hold when the 2007 and 2008 dips had been cancelled. They were all keen to take part.

Next came interest from the Dirty Low Down Dubbers for a debut dip '“ and the occasion was on again.

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