by Rebecca Hannant
A women’s open-water swimming group in Hornsea is turning its attention to raising funds for male cancers.
On Sunday, March 2, the Hornsea Dolphins will host the Blue Balls Dip in aid of cancer charity Orchid.
Orchid is the UK’s leading male cancer charity aimed at raising awareness and funding research into testicular, penile and prostate cancer. For more than 25 years, the charity has been working to save men’s lives through a range of support services, education and awareness campaigns and world-class research programmes.
The Hornsea Dolphins, who are an exclusively women’s group, said they had decided to support a male cancer charity after they raised £600 for Breast Cancer Now in 2024.
Group member Anna Chipchase said: “Hornsea Dolphins is a women’s-only sea dipping group. Last year we raised some money for a breast cancer charity, so we thought this year it was time to raise some money for a male cancer charity.”
Members say they are regularly supported by their husbands and partners and are keen to get men involved in the hope that they will set up their own group.
Anna added: “We know that dipping is good for our mental health and social skills, but we also know all our husbands are quite reluctant to get in the water.
“This time we’re really hoping to get more men involved and do a mixed dip with men and women. We’re hoping that they will set up their own group if they enjoy it.
“We want to do this to raise a lot of money for Orchid, but we also want to try to get more men in the water so they can share the benefits with us.”
Orchid says that each year 55,000 men are diagnosed with one of the three male cancers in the UK. Of those 55,000 patients, Orchid says 12,000 will die of one of those cancers each year.
Orchid says its research shows that there is low awareness of male-specific cancers, the risk factors and the signs and symptoms – even among those most at risk, and that finding cancer early and being aware of risks and symptoms makes a big difference to both survival rates and the level of treatment needed.
It is critical that those at risk of male cancers, or those who have developed early symptoms, understand when they need to contact their GP.
The charity supports men and their families through a range of services including a freephone National Male Cancer helpline, which is available weekdays from 9am to 5.30pm on 0808 802 0010 or [email protected].
They also provide evidence-based publications about the three male cancers which have been designed to support patients and their families and host a range of advice and educational roadshows.
They also provide checklists for men visiting their GP, engagement with schools, health professionals and educational providers, and counselling for those with penile or testicular cancer.
The charity also supports a range of research projects, including the Robert Lane Tissue Bank in London, which houses 13,000 tissue specimens of cancer cells, including 600 penile cancer specimens, 3,000 testicular cancer specimens, 6,000 cancer specimens and more.
Ali Orhan, Orchid CEO, said: “We are incredibly grateful to Anna and everyone taking part in the Blue Balls Dip for choosing to support Orchid. Events like this not only raise vital funds but also help to spark important conversations around male-specific cancers.
“Every donation will go towards funding pioneering research, raising awareness, and providing essential support to those affected. With such a fantastic response already, we’re excited to see how much can be achieved.”
In support of the fundraiser on March 2, Orchid has provided the Hornsea Dolphins with a package of merchandising – and a donation of a night at the Waldorf Hotel in London, worth about £500, will be raffled off on the day.
The swim will take place on the beach near the Floral Hall in Hornsea on Sunday, March 2, at 10.30am for an 11am start.
All swimmers are required to wear blue in support of the charity. The Dolphins will be supported by Hornsea Inshore Rescue and Hornsea Fire Station. The event will also host a raffle and a tombola.
About 50 Hornsea Dolphins are expected to take part in the event, and it is hoped that their partners will get involved too. The event will also include live music from the likes of the Hornsea Shanty Lasses, Hornsea Ceilidh Band and the Beverley Male Voice Choir.
The swimmers are hoping to raise £1,000 for the charity but are already close to this and expected to surpass the target significantly.
To donate, visit justgiving.com/campaign/hornseadolphinsblueballsdip.