Saundersfoot's brave New Year's Day swimmers have made the biggest fund-raising splash in the event's 22-year history. A superb sum of £25,244 was raised for charity by this year's dip, which saw the largest ever crowd of nearly 700 bathers, including 204 plucky penguins from Saundersfoot CP School, heading for the chilly water. Organised by Saundersfoot Festivities Association, the January 1 plunge, resulted in 43 cheques being given to charities and good causes at the annual presentation evening, held at the village's Sports and Social Club last Thursday. Sponsored by Oakwood, the swim also attracted thousands of spectators, and although there was no bonfire this year, swimmers warmed up to a minature bottle of whisky, donated by Old Poultney Whisky. At the presentation evening, certificates were presented to 66 swimmers who raised more than £100, while the Betty Duncan award for the highest sponsored swimmer was retained for the thrid year running by Dave Young, of Saundersfoot, who raised £1,840 - £1,400 of which was donated to the fund for Chantelle Harries, of Tenby. As well as the award, Dave, who has now raised £4,200 for charity in the last three years, also received a holiday in Devon, courtesy of Powells, of Saundersfoot. Other close contenders for the highest sponsored swimmers were Tony Jones and Steve Wiseman (£1,730 for Ysgol Hen Felin, Ystrad Rhondda); Macky Brace (£800 for the Pembroke Dock Autistic Unit); Sarah Hitchen and Ceri Davies (£600 each); and Abe Smith and Carol Powys (over £400). Saundersfoot CP School received a £7,000 boost following sponsorship, donations of £500 from Texaco and £200 from Lloyds TSB, and nearly £300 worth of sports equipment from the Saundersfoot Festivities Association. Meanwhile, other main charities to receive donations were Tsunami Appeal; Cancer Research; Lupus; Macmillan Nurses; Diabetes UK; Wales Air Ambulance; Ward 10, Withybush; Martin Roberts Children's Fund; RNLI; Special Care Baby Unit, Withybush Hospital; Motor Neurone Disease; and Singleton Chemotherapy Unit. A total of 13 Blue Tit awards for group entries were presented to the Royal Oak; Old Chemist Inn; Captains Table; Stepaside Coachworks; Pembroke School; Tavernspite Playgroup; Saundersfoot Playgroup; Saundersfoot CP School; Lupus; The Butchers Arms, Stoke on Trent; Carew Inn; Ysgol Hen Felin; and Oakwood. During the evening, chairman of Saundersfoot Festivities Association, Mr. Martyn Williams, revealed that the magnificent sum of £150,000 had been raised for charity in the 22-year history of the swim, with Gethin Evans, Chris Williams, Mick Hamilton and John Joseph having taken part in every single one. Mr. Williams also expressed his thanks to everyone who had contributed to making the swim a success, including sponsors Oakwood and Old Poultney Whisky; BBC Wales, who made a film of the event; the emergency and rescue services; Westcoast Fireworks; DJ Benny Bond (Kevin Lloyd); Mr. and Mrs. Peter Williams, who presented the medals; Mr. Philip Evans, chairman of the Wales Tourist Board, who started the swim; Roger Hayes; and the staff of Evans Newsagents for distributing sponsor forms and collecting sponsorship money.
