Event ticket sales have now closed - please note that there will be no on the day sign ups this year so please do not attend the event unless you had pre registered before 12 midday on the 23rd of December

This will be the 17th Christmas Day Dip for St Elizabeth Hospice and it’s gathering quite a following. Around 500 dippers take part each year and see this as the traditional start to their Christmas Day festivities. Friends and family are all welcome to come along and watch which adds to the fantastic atmosphere as everyone gathers to run in to the sea. While those raising money will be dashing in to the bracing waters, there will be patients in the hospice receiving the care they need, thanks to your support.

Please read the Terms and Conditions thoroughly before registering for this event.

Download your Christmas Day Dip fundraising pack here

Frequently Asked Questions

COVID-19 Protocols 

Here is an update on COVID-19 protocols for the Christmas Day Dip. Please do read all the information as it is very important for your safety.

Although there are no restrictions in place that stops the event from happening, we do understand that some people may have concerns about attending the event due to the new variant. We would love you to still attend, but if you feel it would be unsafe after reading the safety measures we have put in place, we understand and will issue you a refund.

Please email [email protected] before the 25^th December 2021 and we shall return your entry fee. Please note that the refund will come back to you in early January and we shall email you to let you know when to expect it.  

Registration

Registration will open at 08:30am and close at 09:45am ready to dip at 10:00am. Please be mindful that there will be queues whilst we undertake the COVID-19 screening process at registration and arrive in plenty of time. Our brilliant volunteers have been informed by the organisers to remind people to keep distanced, so please be respectful and patient whilst we get everyone through registration as quickly and safely as possible.

Negative Lateral Flow Tests

To help us prevent the transmission of COVID-19 at Christmas Day Dip, all participants will be required to produce proof of a negative lateral flow test to enter the event. This will be checked at registration and you will need to show proof of your negative test through either:

• bringing the test itself
• registering and receiving confirmation of your negative test via gov.uk/report-covid19-result
• Or a date stamped photo of the test. The test must be taken on the 25 December prior to arriving at the event

Please do not attend the event if you or anyone you live with have any symptoms of COVID-19.

Hands, Face, Space

We want everyone to feel as safe as possible at the event so there will be plenty of hand sanitising stations dotted around. We ask that all participants sanitise their hands on arrival and regularly throughout the event. We strongly recommend that everyone wears a face covering as much as possible throughout the event (including spectators) however you will not be expected to wear one whilst dipping.

Family/spectators

In previous years, the promenade has been busy, as family and friends like to spectate. We recommend trying to limit the amount of spectators you bring along where possible. Staff and volunteers will be checking participants are distanced in the registration areas; however, we are unable to manage social distancing on the promenade.

We recommend that any spectators that you do bring along to the event also take a lateral flow test on the morning of 25 December to make sure that they are also negative of COVID-19. Please do not attend the event if you, they or anyone they live with have any COVID-19 symptoms.

No on the day sign ups

Pre-registration for the event closes on 23 December at 12pm and there will be no sign ups on the day so if you have any friends or family that miss the deadline, then please advise them that they will not be able to enter the event.

COVID Booking Guarantee

Please note that we shall refund anyone that has tested positive or is required to isolate due to COVID-19 on the day of the event.

Simply email a screenshot of your notification/test result to [email protected].

Government guidelines

We are monitoring the government guidelines daily, so we shall be in touch again should they decide to make any rule changes that effects the event.

We would love to see you at the beach on Christmas Day, but we do understand if you do not wish to attend this year due to the current circumstances. Either way your support means the world to our patients and their families and we cannot thank you enough for signing up to do the dip.

Where can I park my car?

There is plenty of space along the seafront at Felixstowe.

Where do I go when I arrive?

Registration takes place from 8.30am opposite Mannings Amusements on the sea front (Sea Road, IP11 2DN). Registration will close at 9.45am.

Can I register on the day?

There will be no on the day registration this year so please pre-register for the challenge.

How much does it cost to take part?

The ticket price covers the administration fee, plus one wristband and medal

Early Bird Ticket - £9.00 per person until 23:59 on Tuesday 30th Novemeber

Standard Ticket - £13.00 per person until midday on Thursday 23rd December

There will be no on the day registration this year so please pre-register for the challenge.

How old do I need to be?

Entrants must be 10 years of age or over to take part. Any dippers between the age of 10 and 17 must take part alongside a parent or guardian who will accompany them throughout the event. These tickets must be purchased together so we can identify the responsible adult.

Can my family and friends come along to watch?

Yes, we welcome spectators to come down and enjoy the festive atmosphere.

What time does the dip take place?

The horn will sound at 10.00am and the dippers will run into the North Sea!

Will it be safe?

Your safety is most important to us. St Elizabeth Hospice is working in conjunction with Woodbridge Medical Services as well as the Felixstowe Volunteer Coast Patrol Service, Felixstowe National Coast Guard Institute and the Eastern Community Assistance Team. Together, we ensure all aspects of the event are made safe.

Due to the nature of the event, participants must be 10 years of age and over to take part. Those aged between 10 and 17 years old must take part alongside a paying adult who will be responsible for them and accompany them throughout the dip.

Will there be toilets?

Yes, the public toilets will be available to use on Felixstowe sea front.

What do I need to wear?

No special clothes are required for the dip. Wetsuits are allowed and fancy dress is also a popular and welcomed choice. We recommend that you bring warm dry clothes to change into after. Please bear in mind there will be no gazeebo for changing facilities this year but the public toilets will be open and available to use.

Will there be any refreshments?

Hot drinks and refreshments will be available to purchase from Dyer's Diner and Coffee Shack on the promenade. However, please feel free to bring your own flasks and food to the event if you wish.

Do I have to raise a certain amount of money?

There is no minimum sponsorship required, but we kindly ask that you try and raise as much money as possible to help St Elizabeth Hospice. Every penny you raise will go towards helping improve the lives of those with a progressive illness in the local community.

You can download your paper sponsor form here.

What else can I do to raise money?

Many employers will match fund the amount their employees fundraise. Why not speak with your employer and ask them if they will do this? It is quick and simple and won’t cost you a thing. Usually all they require is a letter from us confirming what you have raised and we will happily provide this for you.

Where shall I send my sponsorship?

Please do not bring sponsor money to the event. You can send a cheque to Fundraising, St Elizabeth Hospice, 565 Foxhall Road, Ipswich, IP3 8LX. Please make cheques payable to St Elizabeth Hospice and write your name and Christmas Day Dip 2021 on the reverse of the cheque.

Alternatively, you can bring the money in person to the hospice in an envelope marked for the Fundraising Team’s attention.

Can I Gift Aid my donation?

You can ask each person that sponsors you to Gift Aid their donation by ticking the Gift Aid box on your sponsor form. If the person sponsoring you is a UK tax payer or pays Capital Gains Tax, they can make their donation worth even more. For every £1 they give to us, we get an extra 25p. Please ensure everyone completes their name and address, including post code in full to be eligible.

Is there any other way I can support the event/hospice?

Please spread the word amongst your colleagues, family, friends and neighbours and get them signed up too!

We also need volunteer support to help the event run smoothly; to get involved, contact the Fundraising Team.

I can't find an answer to my question, what do I do?

E: [email protected]

T: 01473 723600

Thank you. See you Christmas Day!