Swimmers took the plunge to raise money for charities on Christmas and New Year’s Eve by braving the cold seas.
Around 24 people entered the water on Christmas Day – 14 of them sponsored – at Catalköy’s Shayna Beach while being cheered on by a crowd of 100. They were raising money for the North Cyprus Cancer Charity Trust (NCCCT), Kyrenia Animal Rescue and the Special Needs School in Karakum.
Organiser Barbara Fursman said it was a “beautiful” day and that the swimmers stayed in the sea for about 20 minutes – while spectators enjoyed a beachside restaurant breakfast. They raised 1,325TL through meal proceeds and the collection box for voluntary donations.
“We all had such a lovely time on the day, it was great to see the swimmers brave the cold water,” Mrs Fursman added.
“Although not topping last year’s figure, we believe we have raised around 10,000TL which will be great for the three charities”.
Elsewhere the second Iskele Christmas Day Dip saw 35 people take to the water at Long Beach, raising 1,879TL for the Help Those With Cancer Association (Tulips).
Mayor Hasan Sadıkoğlu got the event officially under way with a speech stating the event was about “one Iskele”, embracing people of different religions, languages and ethnicities.
Organiser Chrissie Bara said: “To raise more than our first effort last year is really heartening.
“To see many different nationalities mixing together and enjoying the wonderful atmosphere makes me very hopeful that the Iskele Christmas Swim is now already a regular part of the local calendar.”
On New Year’s Eve, nine hardy swimmers calling themselves the “Tulips Chilly Dippers” dived into the “very rough” sea at Lapta’s Fly Inn at lows of 8°C, also to raise money for Tulips.
Around 60 people turned up to support and encourage the swimmers, and all were served pastries provided free of charge by Akpınar Patisserie and Dano Patisserie, while Jenny Brown made mulled wine.
Sue Tilt and Carole King of Tulips said: “Our special thanks have to go to all the brave swimmers, organiser Jackie Pennington, owner of the venue Un Bitlis, Akpınar, Dano and Ms Brown for all their contributions.
“We have to say a huge thank you to all concerned, this kind of support and commitment, despite the circumstances, is what keeps us all going… Wonderful people.”
A total of 3,460 TL raised from weekly quiz nights at The Lodge in Çatalköy has been handed over to the NCCCT, organisers revealed this week.
By Yasemin Gulpinar for Cyprus Today
Christmas Day swim
Ready for a New Year’s Eve plunge!
