MORE than 200 people braved the cold and took a dip on New Year’s Day for charity.

The exhilarating start for the dippers was for the Lake District Calvert Trust’s New Year’s Day Dip.

Sponsored by Alpkit, it happened at Derwentwater on New Year’s Day at 11am.

It was free to do, but dippers were invited to donate to the charity that aims to help ensure people with disabilities continue to benefit from the great outdoors.

News and Star: New Year's dippers make a splash for charityNew Year's dippers make a splash for charity (Image: LDCT)

Yvonne Booth, fundraising officer for the Lake District Calvert Trust, said: “Our daring dippers made this event a huge success.

“We are so grateful for everyone’s support. 

“The generosity and enthusiasm from the local community exceeded our expectations and we’ve already had people looking to reserve their place for next year!”

News and Star: New Year's dippers make a splash for charityNew Year's dippers make a splash for charity (Image: LDCT)

The Lake District Calvert Trust has a busy fundraising calendar over the next 12 months.

Examples include the Trust’s Around the Bays in 80 Days challenge, where participants are encouraged to dip or swim in 30 bays listed on a map around the Lake District in 80 days. 

There’s also the Calvert 4x4 Extreme, a disability-friendly challenge where people can walk, roll, push or wheel around 4 amazing routes local to the Lake District.  

News and Star: New Year's dippers make a splash for charityNew Year's dippers make a splash for charity (Image: LDCT)

People can also raise money for the trust through their own fundraising challenges as well as competing in events such as the Great Cumbrian Run, the Great North Run and the London Marathon. 

In addition, it is appealing to local companies to select the trust as their charity of choice for 2023.   

News and Star: New Year's dippers make a splash for charityNew Year's dippers make a splash for charity (Image: LDCT)

The charity has also launched a series of new training days to encourage businesses of all sizes to actively engage with Disability Awareness in the workplace for the benefit of both employees and customers.

Sean Day added: “The work we carry out wouldn’t be possible without fundraising from events such as our New Year’s Day Dip.

News and Star: New Year's dippers make a splash for charityNew Year's dippers make a splash for charity (Image: LDCT)

“We are incredibly grateful for the generosity and commitment of our supporters.”

Anyone interested in fundraising for the Lake District Calvert Trust should contact Yvonne Booth - fundraising@calvertlakes.org.uk or go to www.calvertlakes.org.uk.

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