On what's thought to be the coldest Christmas Day on record, more than a hundred fifty people jumped into Weymouth Harbour raising thousands of pounds for charities.

Weymouth Lions say the annual swim was a 'fantastic community effort'. The group thinks more than £10,341 was raised with £1,200 of that donated to the Lions through entry fees and a bucket collection.

153 people took part. Are they brave, foolish or warm-hearted? What do you think?

 

According to Weymouth and Portland's weatherman Bob Poots, the sea temperature on the 25th December was 5.8C. So it was actually warmer in the water than outside where the temperature didn't get above 1.4C all day! 

The winners of the swims were:

Hugh Ireland - Junior Boys 

Rebecca Man - Junior Girls

Katrina Baker - Ladies

Niall Laming - Open Championship swim

Another 116 people swam in the family fun class. Were you one of them? Tell us what it was like in the water. Medals were presented by Paul Kimber, the Mayor of the Borough.

President of Lions David Addy says: "There are a host of people and organisations we would like to thank for making this popular community event such a success year in year out."                                                                                                                                                                                                  "Firstly the Mayor and Mayoress for supporting us, secondly the Harbourmaster and his staff for giving us every support, thirdly Weymouth Canoe Lifeguards for the safety cover and last but not least to three commercial organisations that have supported us this year".                                                                                                                                         "Pontoonworks who have supplied the artificial beach free of charge, Wessex FM who have helped enormously in getting the message across regarding changes to the format this year and The Old Rooms Inn who allowed us to carry out registration on the premises".

 

 

As ever the event proved to be the ideal, fun packed way to pass the time between opening your presents and having Xmas lunch, great fun, and  was as ever one of the events that makes Weymouth such a good place to live. Lastly we at Lions would like to thank the swimmers and the public at large for supporting the event so well.’