CLIC Sargent Press Release - "Open Water Swimming Expert Signs Up to Help Motivate Boxing Day Dippers and Nippers!"

English Channel and FINA World Cup Open Water swimming ace Paul Hopfensperger will be on hand to help hardy locals taking on the Boxing Day Dip and Nip at the Waldringfield Sailing Club get fired up for the event.

The Suffolk County Councillor from Bury St Edmunds has been supporting children’s cancer charity CLIC Sargent for over three years and has signed up to help motivate the dippers before they plunge into the River Deben on Boxing Day.

Paul, known as “Hoffy”, has swum the English Channel twice and competed in many open water championships and grand prix events both in the UK and overseas. He has a target of raising £50,000 for CLIC Sargent and St Nicholas’ Hospice in Bury St Edmunds through his swims and is in training for several events next year, including swimming from Jersey to France in July 2009.

Steve Lomas, owner of The Maybush Inn who is sponsoring the event, is hoping to attract up to 100 brave participants to the first Boxing Day Dip and Nip held in aid of CLIC Sargent in Suffolk. Swimmers will take a quick dip in the River Deben before enjoying a hot cup or glass of something warming. He says, “Please come down and support this fantastic charity event by either dipping in the river or your pockets!”

Paul says, “I would urge as many people as possible to come to Waldringfield to support this event and work off that Christmas day meal! Swimming in the cold water is a fantastic experience which once tried you will want to do over and over again, as well as it being a great way to raise lots of money for CLIC Sargent.”

Registration for the event opens at Waldringfield Sailing Club near Woodbridge at 10am, for an 11am start, and costs just £10 which includes a free CLIC Sargent T-shirt.

Festive or fancy dress is optional! Participants are asked to raise a minimum of £50 in sponsorship to take part.

For more information or a registration pack contact Claire Palmer on 01502 677777 or email her at claire.palmer@clicsargent.org.uk

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