The presentation evening for the 25th Saundersfoot New Year's Day Swim was held last Thursday at the magnificent St. Bride's Spa Hotel.

Chairman of the organisers, Saundersfoot Festivities, Martyn Williams, was able to announce that the record entry of 1,200 swimmers had raised a staggering £46,144 for 55 worthy charities.

Martyn started the evening by welcoming guests, Anna Ryder Richardson, of Manor Park, and David Meyrick, who represented the swim's main sponsor, Powell's Cottage Holidays.

He then thanked all those who had contributed to such a memorable swim. These included the main sponsors Powell's, as well as Oakwood, Neil Finlay Cars, Pembrokeshire Financial Services, Sands, Silcox Coaches, Westcoast Fireworks, FB Mason, County Financial Consultants and Dragon Catering (Phil Odley) and Felinfoel Brewery.

He also thanked the Chemist, Royal Oak, Cabin, Sports Club, Hean, Deck, Kookaba, Mulberry, Wogan Guest House and The Lounge for supporting polo shirt sales.

Safety cover proved invaluable on swim day and he thanked the RNLI, Pembroke Paddlers, Tenby Surf and Rescue, HM Coastguard, Tenby and District Fire Brigade and St. John Ambulance.

The beach was in pristine condition prior to the dip, thanks to the dedication given by Davy Young, Roger Hayes, Chris Williams, Butch and treasurer Roger Stephens.

A very special thanks was given to Jan and the girls at Evans'. Their commitment he Martyn said was very much appreciated. He also thanked the staff at 'Walk on Water'.

Martyn was delighted with the publicity given to the swim and singled out for special mention the Tenby Observer, Pembrokeshire Radio and the support of the Welsh Rugby Union legends Gareth Edwards, Scott Quinnell and Phil Bennett, as well as current international Martyn Williams, who donned the polo shirts.

Martyn also thanked Mr. and Mrs. Peter Williams, as well as the chairman and members of the community council, for handing out the medals.

Special thanks to Kevin Lloyd for his professionalism during the swim itself. Thanks also to Butch for his fantastic entertainment during the day.

Blue Tit group awards were handed out entertainingly by Anna Ryder Richardson to the following: Saundersfoot School, Tenby Swifts, Lamphey Scouts, Tongwynlais Brass Band, Carew Inn, the Chemist, the Cabin, the Royal Oak, Saundersfoot Sports Club, Lupus, the Ruth James Trust, Stepaside Coachworks, Pembroke School, Pembroke RFC Youth, Templeton YFC, Withybush Theatre, Butcher's Arms (Stoke), Spar, Edgecombe Guest House, the Lounge and Wogan Guest House.

Martyn presented local photographer Gareth Davies with a swim medal and congratulated him on being present at every one of the 25 swims. The same can be said for the quartet who have never missed a swim - John Joseph, Mick Hamilton, Gethin Evans and Chris Williams.

Every swimmer who raises in excess of £100 is presented with a certificate.

The 2009 Swim had 118 swimmers who qualified for this award. Of those, five swimmers raised over £1,000 - Nigel Northam (£1,000), Lisa Barrett (£1,000), Walter Marr (£1,200), Norman Goodman (£1,700) and 12-year-old Iris Davies from Pembroke who raised over £3,200. For her fantastic effort, Iris received the Betty Duncan Trophy for the highest sponsored swimmer, a family ticket to Oakwood Theme Park, as well as a standing ovation.

Oakwood tickets also went to John Joseph (best individual fancy dress) and the Whitlow Rocketeers (best group fancy dress). The latter also won tickets for the first race meeting at Ffos Las racetrack, Llanelli. General manager of Ffos Las, John Williams, was present to present the award.

Then came the highlight of the evening, the presentation of the cheques by Anna Ryder Richardson and David Meyrick. A total of 55 charities were presented with cheques and of those, 11 were in excess of £1,000.

A cheque for £1,800 was presented by Chief Superintendant Dean Richards to Dale Barker of Paul Sartori. Breast Cancer, Saundersfoot School and Cancer Research all received £2,000. The Sam Partridge Fund received £3,250 and the Ruth James Trust received the highest ever cheque presented by Saundersfoot Festivities -£7,500.

In addition to sponsorship, the bucket collection raised £2,500. 

The previous year, the swim raisied £28,000. To date, the swim has raised over £300,000 for charitable and local causes. 

Pictures of the event can be found on the website http://www.saundersfootnyds.co.uk.  ">www.saundersfootnyds.co.uk.  ;

Sponsor forms for the 2010 swim are already available at Evans' Newsagents.