Hundreds plan seasonal splash

Hundreds of hardy souls will take to the freezing waters off Co Wicklow tomorrow to mark 25 years of the Bray New Year’s Day sea swim.

Organisers are hoping to raise a record €25,000 to mark the momentous quarter-century stage.

The event has so far managed to net €209,120 for a range of charities.

Organisers from the Bray Lions Club said more than 200 people have signed to take part in the seasonal splash.

“Many will be taking to the water in fancy dress, so it should be a fun-filled event,” Lions Club spokesman John McEvoy said.

“We look forward to a huge turnout of people from Bray to cheer on the swimmers.”

Last year’s dip raised just over €20,000.

Charities which have received funding from the swim include Bray Cancer Support Group, Dublin’s St Columcille’s Hospital and Bray Children in Need.

Cancer Support groups in Bray and Greystones as well as Bray Lions Senior Citizens Fund will benefit from this year’s event.

It gets under way at 12 noon at the Southern end of Bray Seafront.