The annual Porthcawl Christmas Morning Swim will return to the sea this year following last year’s virtual event.

This year is the 57th swim and the theme is ‘Paint the Town Red’ to celebrate the return of the traditional event, whilst marking 20 years of this year’s headline charity - Wales Air Ambulance.

As well as raising funds for the lifesaving charity, the Christmas Morning Swim at Sandy Beach will raise money for various local causes and organisations.

Lucy Jones, Secretary of Porthcawl Christmas Morning Swim, said: “We are delighted to be able to confirm the return of the Porthcawl Christmas Swim after needing to hold a virtual event last year.

“Whilst we expect large numbers to attend we are confident that the event will be Covid safe with extra precautions being taken. We are asking people to use Salt Lake Car Park as well as the HiTide car park and also to change at home or in their cars wherever possible. We would also request that people maintain social distancing and wear masks if they go inside.

 “We ask for you to dig deep and give generously to support Wales Air Ambulance and various other local charities. You can read how your donations make a difference on our Facebook page – Porthcawl Christmas Morning Swim.”

Registration for the Porthcawl Christmas Morning Swim starts from 10.30am with swimmers entering the water at 11.45. To find out more information visit www.Christmas swim.org.

If you’d like to support the fundraiser you can make an online donation to the good causes via the GoFundMe page – Porthcawl Christmas Morning Swim 2021. These funds will be distributed by the Christmas Swim Committee to various local charities and organisations.

Wales Air Ambulance has four aircraft based across Wales, in Dafen, Caernarfon, Welshpool and Cardiff.  

Now operational 24/7, the Charity needs to raise £8 million every year to keep the helicopters flying.   

The Wales Air Ambulance’s Fundraising Manager, Mark Stevens, said: “We are delighted to have been chosen again as the headlining charity for this year’s Christmas morning swim, especially during our 20th anniversary year. It is wonderful to hear that the traditional event will be returning to Sandy Beach.

“Thank you to the Porthcawl Christmas Morning Swim for playing its part in keeping our helicopters flying and saving lives in Wales. All donations help the charity be there for the people of Wales when they us most.”

Wales Air Ambulance offers advanced critical care and is often described as a ‘Flying ED’. The on-board consultants and critical care practitioners are highly skilled and carry some of the most pioneering medical equipment in the world. They can deliver blood transfusions, administer anaesthesia and undertake emergency operations at the scene of the incident, before flying the patient directly to specialist care.  

There are several ways that the public can continue to support the Wales Air Ambulance. These include online donations, signing up to the Charity’s Lifesaving Lottery or by coming up with their own innovative ways to fundraise at home. Further information can be found via www.walesairambulance.com. 

Alternatively, a £5 text-message donation can be made by texting the word HELI to 70711.