Felixstowe Christmas Day Dip 2023 for St Elizabeth Hospice

St Elizabeth Hospice's annual fundraiser saw people dressed as a range of festive characters get into the sea outside Mannings Amusements.

Before the dip took place (Image: St Elizabeth Hospice)

People enjoying the sea at Felixstowe (Image: St Elizabeth Hospice)

Returning for a 19th time, the event saw more than 625 people take on the ice cold sea. 

One brave dipper who took the plunge for St Elizabeth Hospice was 10-year-old Delilah Reynolds, who said: “I was bit scared before doing the dip, but it was a lot of fun! The water was cold, but it was really fun seeing lots of people wearing their Christmas outfits.

"I hope today helps everyone the hospice looks after.”

Delilah completed the dip alongside her Grandad David who added: “I am so pleased Delilah and I were able to do the Christmas Day Dip together for St Elizabeth Hospice, as it is something I’ve wanted to do for years.

Festive costumes were on show (Image: St Elizabeth Hospice)

Hundreds of people turned up at the Christmas Day Dip (Image: St Elizabeth Hospice)

Christmas Day Dip at Felixstowe (Image: St Elizabeth Hospice)

“The morning was a brilliant start to our Christmas Day, full of community spirit and a lovely festive atmosphere. The dip is great way of supporting the hospice’s services and I would recommend that everybody should give it a try - if they fancy a challenge!”

Brandon Orton, Events and Challenges Fundraiser at St Elizabeth Hospice, said: “A huge well done and thank you to all our brilliant dippers who supported this year’s Christmas Day Dip.

The event attracts hundreds of people (Image: St Elizabeth Hospice)

Friends and family took the plunge (Image: St Elizabeth Hospice)

People of all ages took part in the dip (Image: St Elizabeth Hospice)

“A special thank you must also go to the supporters and volunteers who made the event possible and provided such a fantastically festive atmosphere and thank you to Sam Phillips from Dare to Dip for his great support too.

“On behalf of the hospice, I would like to wish all our supporters a merry Christmas and a happy New Year. Without your continued support, St Elizabeth Hospice would not be able to provide vital services throughout the region and the whole hospice team are so grateful for the amazing community support we receive every year.”