BRAVE swimmers took to the chilly waters off Harwich Beach on Boxing Day in a bid to raise funds for a much-loved community resource centre.

Fundraisers entered the sea for a festive swim in aid of the Ark Centre, in Main Road, Harwich.

The Ark’s manager Claire Bridges said the idea came from former councillor Geoff Smith and Nick May, landlord of The Alma Inn.

Having already organised an annual Christmas swim, Claire said the pair felt the community should use it to support the Ark Centre.

A JustGiving page was set up in anticipation of the event and has now surpassed the £1,000 mark.

Around 50 to 60 swimmers took part on the day.

Claire said she collected £420 in cash from people who had come to watch the charity swim event unfold. 

Geoff said: "I contacted Nick a few weeks ago to see what day it was going to take place.

"I asked him who he'd got in mind to raise the money for - he was waiting for a charity to get back to him, but they didn't, so I suggested the Ark Centre.

"I was really pleased with how it went, it was a huge success.

"There seemed to be more people there this year.

"To raise over £1,000 was unbelievable, I'm so pleased as I'm pretty sure we raised less than £800 for them last year."

Geoff said he had become used to the cold water and some of the swimmers stayed in the water for ten minutes.

Claire added: “The community has stood by us. It goes to show how special the Ark is.

“We’re secure as a setting and services are secure.

“We’re looking at £1,000 to £2,000 a month to keep services going and be able to grow them.

“We are in a completely different place than we were in September.

“2024 looks very positive for the Ark Centre.”

Although the Boxing Day swim has now passed, Claire said the JustGiving page would remain open until early January.

To donate, go to justgiving.com/crowdfunding/GeoffSmithXmasSwim.