Hundreds Brave the Cold as Newquay Dip Nears £5,000 for Children’s Cancer Charity

Published On: 2 January 2026Last Updated: 2 January 2026By CornishStuff

📷 Photo Credit: Katherine Sawyer - Young Lives vs Cancer Fund Raising Manger Southwest

Hundreds of people headed into the sea at Newquay Harbour on New Year’s Day as the annual DIP for CLIC returned for its twelfth year.

The event, which first started in 2012, saw more than 400 dippers take to the water to raise money for children’s cancer charity Young Lives vs Cancer, watched by a crowd of thousands gathered around the harbour.

Fancy dress, freezing water and big support

Many of those taking part wore colourful fancy dress and swimwear, continuing a tradition that has become part of the event’s character.

A spokesperson for the Newquay Young Lives vs Cancer fundraising group said:
“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 Newquay Town Crier, with help from Newquay Mayor Councillor Drew Creek, led the official countdown before the dippers ran into the sea. They paddled, dipped and swam under the supervision of volunteer lifeguards from Newquay Surf Life Saving Club.

📷Photo Credit: Katherine Sawyer - Young Lives vs Cancer Fund Raising Manger Southwest

£5,000 target almost reached

The total raised from entry fees, sponsorship, food and drink sales and donations has almost reached £5,000. This was the personal target set by the organisers and is the highest amount raised by the DIP to date.

All funds will go directly towards supporting children undergoing cancer treatment and their families.

Thanks to volunteers and local groups

Organisers Jos Cole and Andy Cole thanked the volunteers and organisations who helped the event run smoothly.

Special thanks were given to Beaches & Cream Newquay WI, Newquay Harbour Mission, Newquay Surf Life Saving Club, Newquay Rowing Club, Newquay Harbour Master, Starts Estate Agents, 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 Newquay RNLI.

The organisers said the event would not have been possible without their combined support.

📷Photo Credit: Katherine Sawyer - Young Lives vs Cancer Fund Raising Manger Southwest

Looking ahead to 2027

Now firmly part of the Newquay Twixmas calendar, planning is already underway for a bigger New Year’s Day DIP for CLIC in 2027, with organisers encouraging people to put the date in their diaries.

About Young Lives vs Cancer

Young Lives vs Cancer supports children and young people diagnosed with cancer, along with their families. Cornish children often have to travel to Bristol, around 165 miles away, for specialist treatment.

The charity provides dedicated social workers who offer tailored psychosocial support, helping families cope with the impact cancer has on education, mental health and everyday life.

More information can be found on the Young Lives vs Cancer website at younglivesvscancer.org.uk.