The annual Stonehaven Nippy Dip gained an eleventh-hour reprieve after the local RNLI came to the rescue of the festive fundraiser.
Around 100 people, in various guises, braved the icy waters at the town’s harbour for the event’s ninth year and took the plunge to amass cash for the local RNLI station.
Some people feared it would be cancelled after the usual organisers, Clic Sargent, advised they would not be able to take charge due to operational problems.
However, RNLI volunteers agreed to watch over the dippers after receiving the town’s distress signal from Muchalls resident, Derek Malcolmson.
Mr Malcolmson decided something should be done to save the annual splash and started phoning around the various groups in the town.
He said: “It was all still hanging in the balance up until 2pm on Friday – we wanted to make sure that all the arrangements were in place.”
RNLI launch operations manager Drew Lawson is usually a spectator when his fellow Stonehaven residents run down the slip-way.
But in this instance, he was actively involved in the staging of the Dip.
He added: “I was more than happy to help. It is a great community event where you can catch up with everyone. I see folk here that I maybe haven’t seen all year.”
Stonehaven Community Council chairman, Phil Mills-Bishop, took charge of the safety checks and explained: “The main thing was getting the public liability covered and carrying out a risk assessment.
“We secured some first-aiders and the police also confirmed they would attend. Having the RNLI come along too really saved the day.”
A triumvirate of Stonehaven townsfolk, Sean McAllister, Robin Coleman and Alistair Veitch were dressed up as bananas and revealed they were using the dip as a hangover cure.
Mr Veitch admitted: “I had a skinful last night and, seemingly, I agreed to do this!”
Another two participants, David and Angela Watt, praised the efforts of the RNLI.
The latter said: “David has done it every year and we were devastated when we heard it might be cancelled – three cheers to the RNLI!”
RNLI stalwart, Karen Smith – who has just been honoured with a British Empire Medal – was on hand with collection buckets and the event raised an estimated £1,500 for the lifeboat station.
