THE organiser of the Bude Surf Life Saving Club’s annual Christmas Day swim, Pete Vickery, praised the incredible atmosphere and generosity of the public after raising over £12,000 from the event.

Each year hundreds of locals, holiday makers and club members descend on Crooklets Beach to run in the freezing water.

Pete said: “The conditions were perfect as they were nice and mild and overcast. The surf was also perfect as it two or three hours from high tide so it was well off the stones.

“We keep the swimmers at the surf club until 10.55 and then all the people with a sponsorship form register. Quite a lot of people come down just to do the swim and they give a donation. The amount of people spectating was amazing and if anyone can give us some video footage we’d greatly appreciate it!”

At 10.55am the swimmers are lined up between yellow and red flags for the Mick Moyle Memorial Swim. Before that, members of the surf life saving club go out as safety cover for the swimmers.

One of Mick’s grandsons blew the whistle, and they all ran in at 11am before they got changed and headed back to the clubhouse for mulled wine and sausage rolls.

However the money raised from the club’s biggest fundraiser of the year surpassed all expectations.

Pete said: “We raised around £12,000 which is absolutely incredible. It’s the most we’ve ever raised by a mile. I’d like to say the atmosphere there on the day was absolutely brilliant from both the swimmers and the spectators.”

Bude-Stratton Town Council mayor Bob Willingham stripped down to his trunks - and of course mayoral chain - to join the swimmers! It is believed to be the first time a mayor has taken part while in office.

Pete joked: “The mayor came down and took a photo with Mick’s wife Georgie. She was certainly very pleased to have her photo taken with him. And she was also very pleased with the day.

“I’d like to thank all the swimmers who came down to support it and thank the spectators for their generosity to Bude Surf Life Saving Club. It was absolutely brilliant!”