Taking the New Year plunge in Carnlough

ON a sunny but cold New Year's Day, and under the watchful eye of the Larne Branch of the St John's Ambulance and cheered on by a very large crowd of spectators, 80 hardy souls plunged into the water at Carnlough Harbour to raise £3,800 for the Ballymena Branch Spina Bifida Association.
By The Newsroom
Published 4th Jan 2010, 14:27 BST
Updated 4th Jan 2010, 14:49 BST

Among the swimmers were Geoff Bell, in his 38th swim, Geoff and Ryan Marshall on holiday from Washington DC and Ricky Boss from Florida.

As ever, the family tradition was well represented with parents and sons and daughters jumping into the cold waters.

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Doing the swim for the first time were Chris and Ricky Faloon, Robert and Matthew Bowman, Mark Lester. Mark McGeachey, Dessie Henry, Andy Strain and Peter Parkhill who was standing in for John Smith

Association chairman Billy McIlroy gave a warm welcome to everyone and wished them all a very happy and prosperous New Year.

Billy went on to say it was very pleasing to see so many swimmers when taking into consideration the wintry conditions that we were experiencing at present. He said it was also nice to see so many visitors among the spectators and swimmers and he hoped they would all enjoy themselves and return another time.

After the presentations, the chairman again paid tribute to everyone who sponsored the swimmers this year as they have done for many years in the past. Last year the swim raised a magnificent sum and this year again has got off to a brilliant start with generous sponsorship from the public.