Felixstowe's Christmas Day dip set to return for hospice

St Elizabeth Hospice’s Christmas Day Dip is coming around again in Felixstowe.

This Christmas Day, hundreds of brave ‘dippers’ will once again take the plunge into the North Sea as part of the independent Suffolk charity’s annual fundraising event

Dippers on Christmas Day 2022 (Image: St Elizabeth Hospice)

Returning for the 19th time, the much-loved event will see ‘dippers’ don festive outfits before plunging into the icy cold North Sea at Felixstowe to raise vital funds through sponsorship for St Elizabeth Hospice.

Every year the hospice delivers free care to over 4,000 patients and their families throughout east Suffolk and Great Yarmouth.

One brave dipper taking part this year is Teresa Brabbin, from Ipswich. She said: “I did the 2019 Christmas Day Dip, after we lost one of our ‘besties’ Sharon Barker.

Teresa Brabbin (right) at her first Dip (Image: St Elizabeth Hospice)

“We were very nervous but we thought the coldness of the water would be nothing compared with what Sharon went through. The atmosphere at the dip was just fantastic and everybody encouraged one another.

“Sadly my sister-in-law and dear friend, Jo Roberts, died this year as well. With both Sharon and Jo, St Elizabeth Hospice were just amazing with the care they gave to them.

“The hospice supports not just the patients but also the family and friends. It has a homely environment and even pets can visit.

"St Elizabeth Hospice is a very special place and a vital local service and that is why, once again, I will be fundraising as part of its Christmas Day Dip and would encourage others to do the same as well.”

The St Elizabeth Hospice Christmas Day Dip 2023 will take place on Christmas Day at 10am, opposite Mannings Amusement on Felixstowe seafront.

Funds raised through the Christmas Day Dip will go towards the hospice’s Christmas fundraising campaign, Be a Star, which helps the hospice support hundreds of patients and their families over the Christmas period.