Hastings man braves icy sea to help St Michael’s Hospice

Hastings man Bernie Dearle has been braving sub-zero winter temperatures to take a daily dip in the sea to raise money for St Michael’s Hospice.
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Bernie, 57, who works as a college tutor, has been sea-dipping since last June whilst working from home during lockdown.

He has been doing it in rain, shine or snow, in just a pair of shorts, and decided to raise money for St Michael’s Hospice by pledging to continue his daily dips for 365 days.

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He said: “I found out a friend of mine had died of cancer. On hearing this I decided to continue to go in the sea every day whatever the weather. My mother has been a volunteer for the hospice since the 80s but has been unable to continue with this due to Covid. As the new year broke it seemed logical to continue to June 2021 and raise some money in the process for the Hospice.

Bernie Dearle 1 SUS-210203-091402001Bernie Dearle 1 SUS-210203-091402001
Bernie Dearle 1 SUS-210203-091402001

“The second week in February was the coldest since I started in June 2020. Even the beach stones had frozen together by snow and frost, and the wind chill factor was well and truly below freezing! It took me a long time to recover from the sea dips, I had to run on the spot and do press ups, anything to get warm and return to normal body temperature. Only four months to go!”

Donate via Bernie’s Just Giving page. Search for Bernard Dearle.