Hundreds of hardy souls have swapped the cosy indoors for the chilly North Sea.

Boxing Day swims have taken place in Cromer and Mundesley, giving people a chance to leave Christmas indulgence behind and raise money for good causes.

North Norfolk News: At the Cromer Boxing Day dip were, from left, Sophie Millar, Hannah Shoro, Clare and Neil Walton, and Harriet Greenly.At the Cromer Boxing Day dip were, from left, Sophie Millar, Hannah Shoro, Clare and Neil Walton, and Harriet Greenly. (Image: Stuart Anderson)

Cromer’s event - organised by the North Norfolk Beach Runners - started with about 100 people taking part in a fun run to Overstrand and back.

Swimmers dressed as everything from hippies to monks then gathered on the shingle east of the pier before plunging en masse into the surging sea. 

Clive Hedges, the Beach Runner’s chairman, said he was "thrilled" the dip had returned after the past couple of years of Covid cancellations. 

North Norfolk News: Cromer Boxing Day Dip race marshals and donation collectors, including Beach Runners chairman Clive Hedges (fourth from left) and Natasha McGlinchey (blue top).Cromer Boxing Day Dip race marshals and donation collectors, including Beach Runners chairman Clive Hedges (fourth from left) and Natasha McGlinchey (blue top). (Image: Stuart Anderson)

Mr Hedges said: “It’s a big thing for Cromer and it gets people together. It’s a good way of getting rid of the Christmas excesses, and you get bragging rights till Easter. But this is really about the charity.”

The dip raised money for Sarcoma UK, which supports people with a group of rare cancers.

North Norfolk News: Tom Read, 72, centre, from Cromer, with his sons Dom, 26, and Matt, 29, at the Boxing Day Dip.Tom Read, 72, centre, from Cromer, with his sons Dom, 26, and Matt, 29, at the Boxing Day Dip. (Image: Stuart Anderson)

Among those taking part were Neil and Clare Walton, from Cley next the Sea, with their guest Hannah Shoro from Chicago. The trio were dressed as Christmas trees.

Mrs Walton said: “The costumes give us an extra layer of warmth and it’s a bit of fun. It’s the first time we’ve done it.

"I’ve just started a new yoga group called I Am The Storm Yoga, so we’re making a bit of a splash.”

North Norfolk News: Jane Carrington and Ian Davis, from Cromer, taking part in the Boxing Day Dip.Jane Carrington and Ian Davis, from Cromer, taking part in the Boxing Day Dip. (Image: Stuart Anderson)

Retired couple Jane Carrington and Ian Davis, from Cromer, were taking part for the fourth time and have dressed as something different each year.

This time, Ms Carrington was a ‘blue nun’ and Mr Davis was a monk.

Mr Davis said: “It’s mad. But why not? It’s for Christmas and it’s for charity.”

North Norfolk News: Lillian McColl, 70, after taking part in the Cromer Boxing Day Dip for the first time.Lillian McColl, 70, after taking part in the Cromer Boxing Day Dip for the first time. (Image: Stuart Anderson)

Lillian McColl, 70 and from Cromer, was among those taking part for the first time. After getting out of the water she said: “It was cold but it was well worth it. I loved it and I’d do it again.”

Darren Posthill, from also Cromer, went into the waves dressed as Father Christmas. 

North Norfolk News: Darren Posthill, from Cromer, after taking part in the dip dressed as SantaDarren Posthill, from Cromer, after taking part in the dip dressed as Santa (Image: Stuart Anderson)

He said: “I’ve done it five or six times. One year, there was frost on the beach, so at least there’s none of that this year.

"Some people are doing it in their trunks but at least I get to wear some clothes.”

‘I have to live with it’: A sarcoma sufferer

Natasha McGlinchey, from Overstrand, was diagnosed with sarcoma in 2020. 

North Norfolk News: Natasha McGlinchey, from Overstrand, has sarcoma, and was raising money for charity at the Cromer Boxing Day Dip.Natasha McGlinchey, from Overstrand, has sarcoma, and was raising money for charity at the Cromer Boxing Day Dip. (Image: Stuart Anderson)

The disease meant the 39-year-old mum of two had to take retirement due to ill health from her job as a PE teacher at Aylsham High School.

She said: “It started off in my leg and it spread to my heart and my side. I had four rounds of really serious chemo, which didn’t do anything, and then I had radiotherapy.

"My form of sarcoma is incurable, so I just have to live with it.” 

Mrs McGlinchey was among the bucket collectors raising money and awareness about the sarcoma at the Cromer dip.

North Norfolk News: People taking part in the Cromer Boxing Day Dip.People taking part in the Cromer Boxing Day Dip. (Image: STUART ANDERSON)

Sarcoma is a group of cancers that affect the soft tissue of the body. But Mrs McGlinchey, who used to run with the Beach Runners, said the condition was still little understood.

“We need more research into it so more people know about it and it can be diagnosed earlier,” she said.

North Norfolk News: A scene from the Cromer Boxing Day DipA scene from the Cromer Boxing Day Dip (Image: Newsquest)

North Norfolk News: A group ready for the Cromer Boxing Day DipA group ready for the Cromer Boxing Day Dip (Image: Stuart Anderson)

North Norfolk News: Callum Robb and Poppy Mixer were among those who dressed up for the Cromer Boxing Day DipCallum Robb and Poppy Mixer were among those who dressed up for the Cromer Boxing Day Dip (Image: Stuart Anderson)

North Norfolk News: Members of the Crazy Ladies swimming group at the Cromer Boxing Day DipMembers of the Crazy Ladies swimming group at the Cromer Boxing Day Dip (Image: Stuart Anderson)

North Norfolk News: People coming out of the water at the Cromer Boxing Day DipPeople coming out of the water at the Cromer Boxing Day Dip (Image: Stuart Anderson)

North Norfolk News: Swimmers ready to take the plunge in Cromer.Swimmers ready to take the plunge in Cromer. (Image: Stuart Anderson)

North Norfolk News: Going with the theme of 'hippy Christmas' for the Cromer Boxing Day Dip were Ewan McRory, left, and Andy Rackham with Dale Sharpe, centre. Going with the theme of 'hippy Christmas' for the Cromer Boxing Day Dip were Ewan McRory, left, and Andy Rackham with Dale Sharpe, centre. (Image: Stuart Anderson)

North Norfolk News: Swimmers get ready to take the plunge in the Cromer Boxing Day Dip.Swimmers get ready to take the plunge in the Cromer Boxing Day Dip. (Image: Stuart Anderson)

North Norfolk News: Jim Ashcroft-Beaumont was among the crowds taking part in the Cromer Boxing Day Dip.Jim Ashcroft-Beaumont was among the crowds taking part in the Cromer Boxing Day Dip. (Image: Stuart Anderson)

North Norfolk News: Neil and Clare Walton, from Cley, with Hannah Shoro from Chicago, at the Cromer Boxing Day Dip.Neil and Clare Walton, from Cley, with Hannah Shoro from Chicago, at the Cromer Boxing Day Dip. (Image: Stuart Anderson)