The presentation evening for the 2019 Saundersfoot New Year’s Day Swim was held on Wednesday at the St Brides Spa Hotel, where Saundersfoot Festivities thanked all swimmers, sponsors, commercial sponsors and helpers for contributing to the magnificent £57,292 raised by the Swim.

The money raised by the swimmers benefited 41 charitable and worthy causes. The generosity of the commercial sponsors ensured that every penny raised was donated to charity.

Among the recipients were a number of charities that received at least £1000. They included the HOPE, Wales Air Ambulance, Breast Cancer Care, Cancer Research, MacMillan, Cancer Research Local causes who benefitted were Saundersfoot Footlights, Sandy Bear, Paul Satori and Myrddin Special Needs Unit. The highest cheque of over £5,000 was presented to Cancer Research.

Main guests at the Presentation were: Nicky Hurst of Powell’s Cottage Holidays (NYDS main sponsor), County Councillor Phil Baker and Phil Odley Jr, Chairman of the Saundersfoot Chamber of Tourism and Neil Sefton, Chairman of Saundersfoot Community Council. The guests helped to present the numerous certificates, awards and cheques.

Winner of the Betty Duncan Cup for the highest sponsored swimmer was Mick Booth who raised a fantastic £3,900 for St Issells Church. A number of other swimmers raised in excess of £1000 each.

Best group fancy dress winners were the Taylor Family from Hereford for their sensational ‘Wizard Of Oz’. Mick Booth won the Best Individual fancy dress as ‘Piano Man’.

During the presentation Martyn Williams took time to thank everybody who was involved in making the 35th swim such a success, namely all the emergency services, safety personnel, stewards, bucket collectors and sponsors.

He added: “The swim continues to go from strength to strength. The magnificent sum of £57,000 is as a result of the hard work of the swimmers, sponsors, financial contributions from commercial sponsors and organisations within the locality.

“The cheques handed out will make a difference to each of the 41 charitable and worthwhile causes”.

Saundersfoot New Year’s Swim would like to thank St Brides Spa Hotel for their hospitality and continued support.

In the 35 year history of this event, it has raised over £600,000

Plans are well under way for the 2020 NYDS.

For further information about the 2020 swim please keep an eye out on the swim website www.saundersfootnyds.co.uk<http://www.saundersfootnyds.co.uk/> or follow Charlie Shivers on Facebook and Twitter.

2019 Swim Sponsors: Powells Cottage Holidays, 1 Formula Fitness, Broughton Leisure, Elston Construction, Folly Farm, Harbour Wealth Financial Services, Lewis, Lewis & Co Ltd, Mike Wealleans UPVC, Neil Finlay Cars, Pembrokeshire Tyres, Princes Gate Spring Water, Little & Large Lite Bites, Saundersfoot Pleasure Boats, Scaffold 2000, Sue’s Pantry, Sunnyvale Holiday Park, Sytner BMW, Taf Valley Coaches, Tees R Us, Tenby Glass and NBSM.

Pics. Gareth Davies Photography