Mankini challenge raises funds for charity
Braving freezing temperatures, abrasive sands and getting more than a few raised eyebrows from startled dog-walkers, the mankini challenge runners made their six-mile scantily-clad stint along the Northumberland coast.
A TROOP of mankini and bikini wearers braved driving rain, gales and the raised eyebrows of onlookers to run six miles for charity from Seahouses to Bamburgh Castle and back.
The bighearted runners, donned in jaunty, festive swim wear, made famous by Sacha Baron Cohen’s character Borat, raised over £1,600 on the day and are on course to meet their £2,000 target for Parkinson’s.
Bamburgh Castle Inn general manager Ryan Thompson, who led the team, said: “It was alright on the way there but the rain and the wind in our faces coming back made it really hard work – I’ve never had to do anything like that before, but I’m proud we’ve all done it for such a worthwhile cause.
“People were cheering us on along the way, which kept us going. I’d like to thank everyone who has supported us with sponsorship too. So far, we’ve raised over £1,600 and we’re on target to beat the £2,000 we raised doing the run last year for Parkinson’s. It’s a charity very close to our hearts.”
Fellow runner David Hodgson from Gosforth said: “It was absolutely mad, but really worthwhile. I’d definitely do it again. It was bonkers to be running along in the freezing cold and rain wearing just a Santa mankini.”
Make a donation online or at The Bamburgh Castle Inn in Seahouses.
Scores of swimmers also braved the cold waters of the North Sea to take part in the annual Boxing Day dip at Spittal, raising funds for charity.
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Weather for Berwick-Upon-Tweed
Wednesday 19 June 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 7 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 11 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: South east
