A hardy duo took the plunge and raised nearly £600 for charity after taking a Boxing Day dip at Aldeburgh. Kate Thurlow and son-in-law Toby Evans completed the chilly challenge for East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH).
A record number of around 300 people turned up at Aldeburgh beach in their best festive costumes for the town’s first Boxing Day swim since 2019.
The organised annual event, which started in 1988, served as a charity fundraiser for the Blossom Appeal – a breast cancer support organisation set up by Ipswich and Colchester Hospitals.
The RNLI was another of the beneficiaries while Kate and Toby chose to support EACH as one of Kate’s daughters, Hattie Warriner, is Matron at The Treehouse, in Ipswich.
“It’s a wonderful cause and one that touches us deeply,” said Kate, who taught children with special needs during her working life and lives in Wickham Market.
“We appreciate that the work undertaken by the children’s hospice movement is invaluable, offering respite care, support for families, and all the love and support that goes into any terminally ill child’s end-of-life care.
“The whole package is just incredible and inspiring. It’s very important and I’m so proud of Hattie and all her colleagues for the work they do at EACH. I hear first-hand about all the amazing things that happen at the hospice. It’s a tough job but one I know they’re very dedicated to and passionate about.
“Being able to raise money is humbling and overwhelming. It’s only a small thing to do but I’m very grateful to everyone who dug deep and supported us.”
Kate, 70, is a regular sea swimmer who braves the chilly waves once a week. She got the bug several years ago after taking a dip while on holiday in the Lake District and completed another sea swim at Felixstowe on New Year’s Day.
“It’s an amazing experience and afterwards I feel so euphoric,” said the mum of three, who has four grandchildren and is married to Roger. People may think it’s crazy but it makes me smile and lifts me mentally.
“I love being in such a natural environment. It makes you feel very small and insignificant but also very alive. Although I normally swim on my own, I love the sense of fun and camaraderie of the Boxing Day swim.
“It’s so good-natured. Although some are quite nervous, there’s lots of whooping when we head into the water and hundreds of people gather on the beach to give us a cheer. There’s a great atmosphere.
“Toby isn’t a regular cold water swimmer but has joined me for other Boxing Day swims. It’s a lovely thing to do together.”
Between them, Kate and Toby, who is 50 and lives in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, raised £485 which, with Gift Aid, takes their total to £586. There is still time to sponsor the pair by heading to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/kate-toby
