THOUSANDS of people braved a sea temperature of seven degrees celcius to join the New Year’s Day Dip at Barry Island.

The event, in its 36th year, witnessed more than 2,000 people gather in Whitmore Bay on the first day of the year to take a dip in the sea to raise much-needed funds for life-limited children and their families cared for by Tŷ Hafan.

Hundreds of spectators also visited to watch hardy souls in fancy dress run into the water.

For the second year, Tŷ Hafan took on the event, having being handed the reins by Barry man and lifeguard, Rob Salter, who founded the event.

Lisa Lacking, 42, an Asda checkout operator from Winsford, in Cheshire, said: "I have raised £120 for the charity behind the New Year's Day Dip from family and friends at work.

"I am wearing a snowman suit for the dip because it looks funny.

"The water was freezing."

The event has since grown in fame and popularity and now thousands of people brave the chilly channel waters annually on January 1 and comply with the usual ‘rules’ – run in, dunk three times and run out, then repeat two more times.

Event manager, Jodie Harris, said: “We feel so privileged to be able to run this fantastic event for the second year running.

“This is up there as one of the biggest dips we’ve seen, having reached our 2,000 registration capacity the day before the event.”

Before jumping in the water, dippers took part in a warm up provided by Barry-based Cardio Core Fitness, and were watched over by the Whitmore Bay Lifeguards who were on hand to provide first aid.

Ms Harris added: “It was wonderful to see so many people jump into 2020 with the Barry Island dip.

“It costs over £4.4million each year to run our hospice, providing round the clock specialist care 365 days a year and to deliver our broad community programmes.

"We simply couldn’t provide our lifeline services without the kindness and generosity of people like those taking part in the dip.

"We are hugely grateful to them”.

Visit tyhafan.org/fitforfuture