ABOUT 200 swimmers braved the icy sea water off Minehead beach on Sunday (March 2) to kick-start the 45th anniversary week of St Margaret’s Hospice.

They took part in a renamed ‘Sapphire Birthday Dip’ which replaced the traditional New Year’s Day event postponed because of bad weather.

Bathers wearing fancy dress took a moment to celebrate 45 years of the hospice and reflect on the charity’s impact on the community before racing each other across the beach to be the first into the water.

Despite a water temperature of only seven degrees, spirits were high in the sunny weather with a bright blue sky.

The event was sponsored by Mademoiselle Desserts and raised £6,500, with donations still being received at the time of publication.

Swimmers and supporters were afterwards treated to cakes and sweet treats provided by Mademoiselle Desserts.

Event manager Merle Harrison-Croft said: “It was such a wonderful day, the sun was out, spirits were high, and the shrieks of enjoyment from the water highlighted what a great time everybody was having.”

The previous weekend the hospice held its annual charity black tie ball in Taunton School, with 250 guests enjoying a night of ‘glitz, glamour, and generosity’.

The ball and dinner featured a three-course meal, fun games, and live and silent auctions with a top prize of a two-week, five-star all-inclusive holiday in Antigua.

The evening, sponsored by Nuffield Health and Turnbull, raised £20,000 for the hospice as guests danced to music by The Haus Band.

Community partnerships manager Kerry Baillie said: “It was such a fantastic night that truly epitomised the spirit of fund-raising.

“Everybody looked fabulous, got involved, and rose to the occasion.

“Huge thanks to our sponsors and everybody who made this event a success.”

The hospice has also received an anniversary boost with a £240,000 share of a £25 million Government grant to upgrade and refurbish facilities.

A hospice spokesperson said St Margaret’s was ‘incredibly grateful’ for the support but remained committed to its long-term income generation strategy, ensuring continued engagement with the Somerset community, its ‘most passionate supporters and biggest advocates’.

They said St Margaret’s had grown from humble beginnings into a £15 million a year operation, employing 350 staff and supported by more than 900 volunteers.

It now had sites in both Yeovil and Taunton and its dedicated community teams provided vital care to about 5,000 people a year and positively impacted thousands more.

While St Margaret’s was celebrating its milestone birthday it was also looking ahead and embarking on a five-year strategic plan titled ‘Time to Care - Now and Always’ which would lay the foundation for its golden anniversary in 2030.

The strategy was designed to ensure the charity remained responsive to the evolving needs of the community, innovating how it resources and funds hospice care for the next 45 years and beyond.

Information on how to become involved in fund-raising events or support the hospice in other ways can be found by visiting its website.