WOMEN in Ireland have set a new Guinness World Record after more than 2,500 took to the sea for the world’s largest skinny dip.
Not only have they entered the record books but they also raised thousands for a children's cancer charity in Ireland.
A total of 2,505 women took the plunge by stripping off and entering the 12 degrees Celsius waters at Meaghermore beach in Co. Wicklow on Saturday.
After staying there for five minutes, they broke the previous record set by 786 people in Perth, Western Australia in 2015.
More than 2,500 women have stripped naked to break the world record for the largest ever skinny dip. pic.twitter.com/tmAa8zIk7a
— BBC News NI (@BBCNewsNI) 9 June 2018
The ‘Strip and Dip’ is the brainchild of Deirdre Featherstone, who has organised the event for the past six years.
The Dubliner held the first event in 2013 after undergoing treatment for breast cancer.
On the event’s page, Deirdre said: “With our laughter, scars, dodgy boobs or in a lot of cases only one or none… we would like to send a message that there is life after cancer and also raising awareness of how important it is for ladies to get checked.”
All money raised goes towards Aoibheann’s Pink Tie, the national children’s cancer charity which supports the families of children diagnosed with cancer.
So far, the event has raised over €260,000 for the charity.
To learn more about Deirdre's story, you can visit her blog by clicking here.
2,505 women of all ages took part in mass skinny dip on Meaghermore beach in Co #Wicklow on Saturday morning! Sets new #GWR! Preceding record in Perth, Australia 2015 by 786 people. Raised funds for @AoibheannPinkT. Water just 12C! @theirelandguide https://t.co/APq1cmTXmr pic.twitter.com/xTBF3k92mO
— Lorraine Mulholland (@lorraineelizab6) June 10, 2018