Saundersfoot's brave New Year's Day swimmers made yet another huge splash this year, raising the magnificent sum of £24,500 for charity. Over 800 hardy souls took the plunge on January 1 and at the annual presentation evening, held at the village's St. Brides Hotel, on Wednesday evening, cheques were handed out to all the beneficiaries and various awards were presented to swimmers. Main recipients of cheques this year were were Saundersfoot CP School - £2,500, Cancer Research £2,000, Macmillan £1,200 and Multiple Sclerosis £1,000. Awards were presented by Stephanie Churchard, of event sponsors Oakwood, with total of 30 swimmers receiving certificates for raising more than £100, with 10 collecting more than £500. The Betty Duncan award for the highest sponsored swimmer was won by Linda Hayward, of Saundersfoot, who raised over £900. As well as the award, Linda also received a family ticket for Oakwood. Swim stalwart Chris Williams, who is one of a quartet, not to have missed a swim in the history of the event, was the winner of the best individual fancy dress and he also won a family ticket for Oakwood, as did the 'Rockin Robins' from Stepaside Coachworks and Saundersfoot Playgroup, the highest sponsored team. Winners of the best fancy dressed team, the Royal Oak, won 10 tickets to Bath Race Course. Framed photographs and Blue Tit awards were presented to local pubs, restaurants and group entries, namely the Royal Oak, Hean, The Deck, Captains Table, Chemist, 4th Pembroke Lamphey Scouts, Wogan Guest House, Macmillan Ladies, Lupus, Saundersfoot School, Pembroke School, Stepaside Coachworks, Butchers Arms in Stoke-on- Trent, Tenby Rugby Club, and Saundersfoot Playgroup. Old Poultney Whisky donated litre bottles which were given away as gifts, while among those also to receive thanks during the evening were Chris Allen, of Westcoast Fireworks, Saundersfoot Chamber of Tourism, Oakwood, Dave Young, of Saundersfoot, who has in the last six years raised a staggering sum of over £7,000 for charity, DJ Benny Bond, Roger Hayes and Chris Williams who prepared the beach, 'Butch' for the entertainment in the village, HM Coastguard, St. John Ambulance, Tenby RNLI and Tenby Surf and Rescue. The organisers would also like to thank Trevor and Tracy Suter, of The Royal Oak, who have been keen supporters of the swim putting on cawl for the swimmers afterwards and displaying certificates and Blue Tit awards the pub has won. "We would like to thank Trevor and Tracy for their tremendous support over the years and we look forward to continuing to work with the new owners, as we do with all the other pubs and establishments in the village," said chairman of the event organisers, Martyn Williams. "We are delighted to have raised £24,500 for charity this year. Although we are only a small committee, we had some new blood this year, and with specially printed t-shirts, a new website and magnificent advertising boards around the village, really helped put the event on the map." Chris and Steve Williams have taken over sponsorship of the 2008 swim. "Next year's swim has been boosted by the news that a local sponsor wants to donate £2,000 solely for advertising on the New Year's Day Swim t- shirts," said Chris. "We will be having special t-shirts for ladies and men, together with rugby shirts, hoodies and limited edition pink breast cancer awareness tops," he continued. "We are also grateful to Silcox Coaches who have kindly agreed to advertise the swim on the back of two of their buses, while thanks also go to Pete, of Sign Box, who designed the huge advertising signs for us last year, and is donating a sign to replace one that was stolen last year." To keep up-to-date with the plans for the 2008 swim, visit http://www.saundersfootnyds.co.uk">www.saundersfootnyds.co.uk