Festive bathers who took to the water for Tenby’s 2024 Boxing Day Swim have helped splash the cash to the charity that saves lives at sea.

The record-breaking event saw a huge turn-out of 1,150 swimmers – many in fancy dress to reflect the Superhero theme, in tribute to the RNLI in its 200th anniversary year.

Batman, The Incredibles, Wonderwoman and a whole crew of emergency services dashed into the chilly waters of Tenby’s North Beach once again on December 26.

As well as a wealth of crazy costumes on show again, RNLI mascot Stormy Stan was also there amongst the huge crowds to cheer the brave bathers on their way.

The swim has now made a donation to Tenby RNLI from every single one of its 52 annual events.

The latest donation of £4,000 is the largest-ever made to the charity by swim organisers, the Tenby Sea Swimming Association (TSSA).

The TSSA committee made the official presentation of the handsome sum this month, when they were joined by swim sponsors at Tenby Lifeboat station.

TSSA chairman, Sam Skyrme-Blackhall and president Chris Osborne handed over the cheque to head launcher Joe Glanville, watched by a large number of visitors who had gathered to see the lifeboat, the Haydn Miller, making its weekly exercise launch.

Tenby RNLI spokesperson and local lifeboat crew member, Ben James said: "We are extremely grateful for the donation and continued support, having received a donation every year since the swim began."

Cllr Skyrme-Blackhall said: “We were delighted to hand over a cheque to Tenby RNLI to support the amazing work that they do. They always support the swim and we are always eager to help them."

"It was wonderful to hear from the crew about how the funding will help here in Tenby.

"The Boxing Day Swim goes from strength to strength, getting bigger each year. A huge thanks goes to all the committee, sponsors and swimmers who make this event a big part of our Christmas festivities."

The swim’s headline sponsors for 2024 were: Lowri's Shop, Harbour Wealth, ND Toy Insurance, the Qube Group, Harbwr Brewery Tap & Kitchen and Tenby and District Lions.

On the day of the swim, the seaside town’s Mayor Cllr Dai Morgan, whose daughter, Erin as Tenby’s town crier, gave a special ‘cry’ to welcome the event’s start, remarked: “It’s great to see so many people from here, and for such a good cause. I just love it down on the beach on Boxing Day. The swim is such a fantastic tradition.”

Festive tunes from DJ Steve Briers ramped up the atmosphere on the beach and swimmers emerged from the sea to be presented with commemorative medals.

Those taking part also warmed up with hot soup donated by the Giltar Hotel and served up by Tenby and District Lions Club members.

To mark the 200th anniversary of the RNLI, Tenby lifeboat station also took part in a ‘Connecting our Communities’ relay-style event, which saw a scroll, bearing the RNLI pledge, being passed through RNLI communities.