Lowestoft: Festive tradition helps to boost worthy causes

After being cancelled amid the continuing coronavirus crisis in 2020 and 2021, the Lowestoft Christmas Day Swim returned with a bang in 2022.

And after a three-year hiatus, organisers have confirmed that the popular spectacle has raised £6,700.

The Everyone Active 2022 Lowestoft Christmas Day Swim, sponsored by JME, was supported by HM Coastguard, Lowestoft Volunteer Lifeguards Corps, Lowestoft Lions, St John Ambulance, RNLI and new for 2022, East Point Pavilion.

More than 220 brave souls jumped into the cold North Sea on Christmas Day for the 43rd festive plunge.

Lowestoft Christmas Day Swim 2022. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

Santas, Christmas elves and superheroes all took the plunge in fancy dress to raise money for local charities and deserving causes, with the funds raised being shared equally.

Those benefitting are the James Paget Charity Trust, St John Ambulance, Lowestoft Lions, Brian Gallagher Football Fund, Lowestoft Volunteer Lifeguards Corps and Everyone Active's partner charity, Dementia UK.

Money donated to the James Paget Charity Trust will be utilised to improve staff welfare.

Maxine Taylor, charity co-ordinator for the James Paget University Hospital in Gorleston, said: "It means a lot to our team that the local community has once again got behind them and supported them in what has been a very difficult year." 

Donna Taylor, operations manager for Everyone Active at Waterlane Leisure Centre, said: "We were delighted to be involved in this special event, which is of such importance to the local community and fantastic charitable causes."

Matt Stebbings, event volunteer, said: "Vital money has been raised which is staying locally to help those in the area who need it most."

JME general manager, Steve Hunt, said: "We are proud to support such an iconic local fundraising event."

The swim will return in 2023 and applications to become a beneficiary will open in the summer.