More than 600 people flocked to Fraserburgh’s harbour as a show of support for the town’s life-saving charity on Boxing Day.
The port’s lifeboat station has, for the past seven years, hosted a Boxing Day swim event which asks those brave enough to jump into ice North Sea and complete a sponsored 50-metre swim.
The money raised goes to the RNLI.
Among those taking part at this year’s event was 12-year-old Sam Dorney, from Aberdeen, who was inspired after learning about the work of the local lifeboat station.
“I’ve raised £820,” he said.
Jade Kay, 16, also took the plunge into the 6C water – which was actually warmer than the temperature on land.
She said: “I thought it was a really good cause and I’m a bit off my head.
“This is my first year and I’ve really enjoyed it. I raised just under £200 – it just seems like a really good thing to raise money for.”
The lifeboat’s coxswain, Victor Sutherland, said he was “over the moon” by the continued efforts of local people to fundraise.
He said: “It really makes the day. I’m just overwhelmed by the support today.
“It’s brilliant – it gets folk from out and about. We had people today from Stonehaven and a couple from Fochabers.
“I think we’re part of a community. We could never, ever grumble the amount of support we get.”
Since the first harbour swim in 2007, Mr Sutherland estimates that fundraisers for his station have gone on to raise £42,000 for the charity.
Notable former swimmers have included then-70-year-old Auchnagatt woman Carol Donald and the coxswain himself.
