Charity organises Boxing Day dip in West Kirby Marine Lake

Nov 25 2009 by Lorna Hughes, Birkenhead News

AN ADVENTUROUS Neston man is taking a dip in the freezing waters of West Kirby Marine Lake on Boxing Day – and he wants you to put down the leftover turkey and join him.

Charity auctioneer and compère John McGowan is taking on the madcap challenge – thought to be the first Wirral Boxing Day “dip” – to raise money for the Child Care Action Trust.

Dippers will be warmed up afterwards with hot drinks provided by West Kirby Sailing Club, and there will be changing facilities for everyone who takes part.

It is hoped the charity fundraiser will become an annual event.

Boxing Day Dips are already part of the Christmas calendar in Llandudno, North Wales and Salthouse Dock, Liverpool.

John, 38, said: “I did the Llandudno one many years ago so I thought I’d organise something similar in Wirral.

“When I took part the water was freezing but you don’t have to swim – all people have to do is go into the water then it’s straight out again.

“Originally I wanted to do it in the sea and we were about to try and organise it at West Kirby until we checked the tide times and found out they are 5am and 7pm on Boxing Day.”

John has raised more than £190,000 for good causes over the last 15 years, starting with a charity auction he was asked to host while serving in the Navy.