As many people in Cornwall grabbed a new selection box and put on a film, a group of hardy people were instead gathering on the beach to run into the sea for a Boxing Day tradition.
The annual Poldhu Boxing Day Swim for charity saw another huge turnout, with crowds of people wearing festive fancy dress and swimwear.
Following a group countdown, they ran en masse into the chilly sea, raising a total of £453.02 in the process.
All money raised this year is going to the charity Luna’s Fund in memory of Ezrah Pollard, a baby from St Martin who died in March last year at just 19 days old.
Luna's Fund is a stillbirth and neonatal death charity offering support, relaxing breaks, food hamper deliveries and nursery redecoration to bereaved parents in Cornwall and Devon.
The event was once again organised by Poldhu Beach Café owners Ross and Natalie Hocking, who said: “Thank you so much to everyone for your amazing support. It really blows us away every year!
“Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.”
In a post on Facebook, the charity Luna’s Fund also spoke of their appreciation, saying: “We are so grateful for the organisation, support and generosity.
“Thank you so much for supporting our charity and Poldhu Beach Cafe this Boxing Day in memory of a very special baby boy Ezrah.
“We’ve grown close to his family this year and we know how special he is and how special they are. Grief is the price we pay for love. The love they have for their little boy is unmatched.
“You are all helping them in unimaginable ways by supporting their events and ultimately supporting them in every way you show your support. Thank you so much!”
Ezrah died on March 25, 2022 at just 19 days old after becoming poorly very suddenly two days earlier.
Initially treated at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro, he was then transferred by ambulance to Bristol Children’s Hospital, where he was diagnosed with sepsis and meningitis as a result of Group B Strep.
Despite the tireless efforts to save him, Ezrah had suffered severe brain injury and could not be saved.
A fundraising memorial page remains open at https://ezrahpollard.muchloved.com where donations can be left by anyone unable to make the swim yesterday.
So far the page has raised as incredible £53,864.33 for two charities: Group B Strep Support and the Grand Appeal funds Bristol Children’s Hospital, including the Watch ambulance service that transported Ezrah to Bristol.
Writing her thanks to everyone who took part in Tuesday swim, Ezrah’s mum Sarah Doolin said of the amount raised: “This is utterly incredible. Thank you so, so much to everyone who donated to raise such an amazing amount in memory of our boy.
“This money will make such a difference to bereaved parents.”
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