The Hornsea Mermaids have presented the town’s independent lifeboat with a donation of nearly £1,000.
The total of £946 had been raised by the Mermaids from a social evening, a “massive” raffle held at the Lounge in Hornsea earlier in the year, and the Mermaids’ Summer Solstice Swim. This early morning dip was supported by local businesses and assisted by Hornsea Inshore Rescue’s lifeboat, the Spirit of Hornsea, to ensure the swimmers’ safety and wellbeing.
Hornsea Mermaids started in March 2021 and soon had about 50 members all braving the chilly North Sea to have a swim every day, providing the sea state was sufficiently safe.
The Mermaids now have about 2,500 members and swim all through the winter with about 10 to 30 people at a time, but only for five to 10 minutes when it is cold. They have been supported all the way by Hornsea Inshore Rescue which provides them with safety advice and oversight plus changing and warming up facilities at the boat launch.
Responding to Sue Hickson-Marsay’s thanks for “such a wonderful donation”, Mermaid Gill Quinn said: “We are so pleased to raise money for wonderful local lifesaving organisation which helps us so much with advice and use of their facilities. We work to support each other.”
Gill also mentioned that a special thanks was due to Mermaid Val Andrew who collected all the prizes for the raffle.
The next big swim event for Hornsea Inshore Rescue will be the traditional New Year’s Day sponsored fun swim which will take place as usual at midday from the boathouse.
