12 Dips of Christmas raises a whopping €15,000 for two Donegal charities

On Christmas Eve, more than 70 people from all over south Donegal and beyond completed their 12 dips of Christmas. In its third year, the 12 Dips is a sponsored fundraiser where participants dip or swim in cold water over the 12 days in the run up to Christmas. 

The local charities benefiting this year are the Bluestack Special Needs foundation in Donegal Town and Liquid Therapy in Rossnowlagh. 

Organiser, Tara Henderson has been overwhelmed by the response and generosity of everyone who took part and donated. 

There is great community spirit amongst those that took part and some of the reasons include, "it was the calm amongst the chaos of everyday life" and "a great opportunity to be mindful, to just be still, because you're frozen solid and can't think of anything but your breath."

A first time dipper commented, "Joining the 12 Dips of Christmas was about getting uncomfortable. It was a challenge that pushed me beyond routine and comfort for sure!

It's not a checklist; it's a mindset shift; I believe real learning happens outside the comfort zone and I definitely was outside my comfort zone but thoroughly enjoyed it at the same time!"

To date, this year’s 12 Dips has raised €15,000, a wonderful, feel good initiative that organisers and participants hope to continue year on year.