After a quiet couple of years due to the pandemic, the Broadstairs New Year’s Day dip for Children’s Liver Disease Foundation (CLDF) will be back in force on January 1 and organisers, Jill and Kenny Connell, are expecting well over a hundred hardy swimmers to take the plunge.
“The event has become a Broadstairs tradition for over 20 years now,” says Jill. “So we’ve really missed the fun over the past two years. More importantly, the charity relies on voluntary donations and needs us more than ever, so we are really hoping for a good turnout this year.”
Swimmers will be invited to meet at The George Inn, Broadstairs by 11.30am ready for the 12pm plunge at Viking Bay. Participants can donate in advance at Jill Connell is fundraising for Children’s Liver Disease Foundation (justgiving.com), call into The George Inn for a sponsorship form or simply make a £10 donation on the day. All those taking part will be welcome back to The George afterwards for some warming curry.
“It’s a wonderful way to start the New Year for a fantastic cause”, says Jill. “Anyone who doesn’t feel brave enough to take the plunge but would like to watch and help us with our fundraising is more than welcome too!”
Rebecca Cooper, Chief Executive of CLDF added: “We are the only UK charity dedicated to fighting all forms of childhood liver disease and the past few years have been very tough. So we are delighted to see the return of the Broadstairs New Year’s Day dip, a wonderful tradition which has raised over £61,000 over the years – a tremendous amount for a small charity like ours. Good luck to everyone who is braving the chilly waters for us that day!”
Sponsorship forms for the New Year’s Day dip are available now at The George Inn, Broadstairs. For further information or to volunteer on the day contact Kenny Connell on 0750 5094631
