Cornwall to host mass sea swim to raise money for Ukraine
The 'Chilly Chilli Dip' donations will go towards the Red Cross emergency appeal
Last updated 18th Mar 2022
Cornish swimmers are grouping together in Falmouth to raise money and take a cold dip in solidarity with Ukraine.
The mass sea swim is taking place at 12pm on Sunday 20th March and will see swimming groups and the community join together for a chilli and a 'chilly' dip at Gyllyngvase beach.
Kathy, who regularly swims with various groups across Falmouth, organised the 'Chilly Chilli' event.
She told us: "Groups of people can come together, large or small and do their own ones. We're trying to make it easy for people and hopefully the wider it spreads the more money we can raise for this awful situation.
"It's just to raise awareness and give people a hook they can use".
Swimmers are being asked to bring a dish of chilli and make a donation to the Red Cross and all money will be matched from all takeaway items bought from Gylly Beach Cafe by 'dippers'.
Kathy told us the event has already reached people across the country, creating their own version of the swim where they live.
"We've had people already swimming in a Scottish Loch, have had some people who've swum in a Gloucestershire lake, I think some people are planning on swimming in a London pond.
"People have got quite excited by it. Sunday is sort of the launch event of the 'Chilly Chilli Dip'. It just keeps on rolling. Anybody, anywhere, any place, any time can set up their own Chilly Chilli Dip'".
For groups, they are arranging an organiser pack so other swims can continue to take place across the year.
Kathy added: "There's been a fantastic response from the community, everyone feels a bit impotent in they don't know really what to do to help and I think it just gives something really positive to do to get together for this really serious cause".