Hardy fundraisers braved the cold and took to the water at Anstruther for the East Neuk Dook yesterday. Picture – Gareth Jennings.

Annual event at Anstruther saw 47 brave souls make a splash in the icy Forth for a good cause

A band of hardy souls braved the icy waters of the Forth yesterday in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.

The East Neuk Dook has raised thousands of pounds for various causes since it started in 2002.

Yesterday’s event at Anstruther Harbour went ahead in 6C temperatures with a bracing wind, as 47 volunteers made a splash watched by a large crowd of spectators.

The annual event is organised by local man Kevin Corps and his wife Fiona and is usually held on Boxing Day, although this depends on the tides.

He got the idea after his wife put his name down for the Burghead Harbour Jump in aid of Macmillan in 2001 when they were living in Moray.

The couple moved to Fife the following year and decided to start something similar.

“We approached the guys at Anstruther Lifeboat Station with a view to raising money for the RNLI and the first Anstruther Harbour Plunge took place on Boxing Day 2002,” he said.

Mr Corps paid tribute to the RNLI crew at the station for ensuring the event runs smoothly.

Participants must jump from the pier then swim across the mouth of the harbour and climb out at the other side.

An initial fundraising target of £1,000 was set, although the final total is expected to be many times higher.

One of the first jumpers was 32-yearold Michael Ironside, who raised more than £200 through sponsorship.

“It was good,” he said afterwards. “I’m in the coastguard anyway so we’re used to being in the water, but that’s normally with the cosy bear suits on – not just a T-shirt and shorts.”

Plans for a number of New Year’s Day dooks across Dundee and Angus are well under way.

The Broughty Ferry event will take place at Broughty Ferry Harbour, with the dook at 3.30pm and a fancy dress competition at 3pm.

Arbroath’s Dook will take place between 2.30-3.30pm at the harbour.

The event raises funds for Cancer Research and registration costs £15. Participants will receive a special Dook T-shirt.

The Carnoustie Rugby Dook is at 3pm and the meeting point is behind the Carnoustie Golf Centre.

Entry costs £5 with donations going to the 5-Day Chemotherapy Unit at Ninewells Hospital.

There will also be a dook in Lochore Meadows Country Park.

Pictures: Gareth Jennings.

Pictures: Gareth Jennings. An initial fundraising target of £1,000 was set, although the final total is expected to be many times higher.