HUNDREDS of swimmers braved the icy cold water to take part in the traditional New Year’s Day dip in Newquay for charity.

More than 500 people donned their swimming costumes to race into Newquay Harbour at the 12th annual Dip for CLIC, which has raised nearly £5,000 for Young Lives vs Cancer.

The Newquay town crier, with help from Mayor Cllr Drew Creek, called the dippers to the beach for the official countdown. Many donned fancy dress for the occasion, which included flamingos and lobsters.

The dippers ran into the water where they paddled, dipped and swam under the watchful eyes of Newquay Surf Life Saving Club volunteer lifeguards. A huge crowd of thousands of supporters viewing from all around the harbour clapped and cheered until the last participant came out of the water.

Andy Cole from Newquay Young Lives vs Cancer Fundraising Group said: “We had a fantastic event and an amazing crowd of well-wishers were there to support the 400 plus dippers who were brave enough to take to the water, all raising money for the children’s cancer charity.

“Once again, this year some of the dippers chose to wear an array of colourful fancy dress costumes and swimwear for the event.

“It is fantastic that so many members of our community support our event and what a great way to start 2026. Some of our dippers have taken part since the very first DIP, and it is great to see so many old friends return time and time again.

“Each year we have dippers from the Newquay area and visitors from all over the country who include our event as part of their holiday activities”.

The total raised for the children’s charity, which includes entry money, sponsorship, food and drink sales and donations has almost reached the £5,000 which was the personal target of the organisers.

Mr Cole said: “This is the most raised at the DIP to date, which will go directly towards providing care and support for children who are having treatment, and their families.

“When a child or young person is diagnosed with cancer, their whole world and their family’s can feel like it’s falling apart.

“They need special treatment because their cancer is different to adults’, they can only be treated in certain hospitals, and they often travel miles and miles to get there.

“The impact of cancer on young lives is far more than medical. Their anxieties are deep. Their education, mental health and social lives suffer. Their future feels very uncertain.

“Young Lives vs Cancer is the only charity in the UK with social workers who dedicate their time to provide tailored psychosocial support to children and young people with cancer, and their families.

“We stop at nothing to make their voices heard and their unique needs understood, so they can get the right care and support at the right time.

“My wife Jos and I would like to thank the team of volunteers who enabled the event to go ahead so smoothly, with special thanks to the members of Beaches & Cream Newquay WI, Newquay Harbour Mission, Newquay Surf Life Saving Club, Newquay Rowing Club, Newquay harbourmaster and Starts Estate Agents.

“Also Newquay WI, Bookers, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Aldi, Hutton Hire, Trevornick Holiday Park, Bogdan Parvu at Blystra Signs, Boots the Chemists, This is Newquay Cornwall, Radio Newquay, BBC Radio Cornwall, Newquay Lions, Towan Blystra Lions, St Michael Lodge, Dyamond Audio, and last but not least Newquay RNLI who, without their contribution in one way or another, we would not have been able to put on this fantastic event and make it the success it has become.

“Now firmly on the Newquay Twixmas Calendar, plans are already underway for the bigger and better New Year's Day DIP for CLIC 2027. Please put this date in your diary and be daring and challenge yourself for this wonderful charity.”

Cllr Creek added: “It was great to start the New Year alongside so much of our community supporting Young Lives vs Cancer. What an exhilarating experience.

“Well done to all those volunteers for organising and supporting, there was lots of money raised for a brilliant cause.”

Pictures in the gallery by @thisisnewquay, Bob Quinn and Drew Creek.