St Margaret’s Hospice Care is on the search for fearless fundraisers to take the plunge from Minehead beach to celebrate the New Year.

The hospice is inviting brave supporters to join them on the beach at 2pm on New Year’s Day and take a dip in the icy sea in aid of St Margaret’s Hospice.

They will be able to buy refreshments before they complete their dip and the St Margaret’s team will have hot drinks at the ready for those braving the challenge. The early bird entry fee is £9 until Wednesday, December 1, after which entry will cost £12.

One of the supporters taking on the challenge is Joanne Taylor who was inspired to support the hospice in memory of her mum, Elaine, who died at St Margaret’s Taunton In-patient Unit ten years ago. 

“Mum was diagnosed with kidney cancer around 15 years ago. She went through different types of treatment including surgery and chemotherapy to try and fight it but sadly after five years – on Mum’s 58th birthday we were told that  her cancer was terminal.

“My mum could see the toil her condition was having on me and my father and so wanted to go to the hospice when the time came.

“When we got the call to say that she was to be admitted, we were so relieved and even then, we were very aware this care was only available due to generous donations from the community.  The nurses at St Margaret’s were so wonderful. They gave my mum excellent care and supported the whole family.

“I thought the New Year’s Dip would be the perfect way to remember my mum so close to the anniversary of her death as well as fulfil my ambition to dip into cold water. It’s a wonderful charity which needs support.”

All sponsorship raised will help St Margaret’s continue to care for and support families across Somerset facing a life-limiting illness – £50 of sponsorship could pay for an hour of specialist nursing care for a patient. This year’s event is sponsored by Jewsons and the hospice is very grateful for their support.

Ellie Weston, marketing and events officer at St Margaret’s Hospice, said: “The New Year’s Day Dip is a brand-new event for us and one we hope will become a much-loved annual tradition in Minehead.”

For more details and to book your place visit www.st-margarets-hospice.org.uk/new-years-day-dip.