BALA welcomed in 2020 with around 150 people braving the cold to take a dip in Llyn Tegid Lake and raise more than £700 for a voluntary organisation.

The third edition of the Big Bala Dip collected a total of £711.04 to support the South Snowdonia Search and Rescue Team (SSSART).

Around 150 people took to the waters in what was the most successful dip to date.

Organiser Clare Mackintosh said: “Huge congratulations to all our dippers and thank you to our supporters for cheering from the sidelines.

“With around 150 people in the water, and too many supporters on the shore to count, it was our biggest and best dip yet.

“Thank you to the SSSART team - Robert, Paul, Pam, Jim, Glyn, Dion, Priddy and Kev - and in particular Kirstie Lumsdon, for working with me to pull everything together.

“Thank you to Steve and Paul from Bala Sailing Club for the loan of the megaphone I ended up being too shy to use, and for being on the water just in case.

“Thanks to Mark and Sarah at Bala Adventure and Watersports for opening on New Year’s Day, and for spreading the word.

“Thank you to Marie, Helen and Sue for the baking and mulled cider, to Stephanie for the loan of her flasks, and to Bala Co-op and SPAR Bala for their donations.

“And finally, thank you all for coming. It was lovely to meet people from Bala and beyond and especially brilliant to see so many first time dippers. You achieved more in the first day of 2020 than many people manage all year.”

Organisers added that, such was the success of this year’s event, next year’s dip will most likely need some form of registration due to insurance purposes.

“Our rising numbers saw it more than double last year’s attendance,” added Clare.

“I’ll make this as simple as I can, to keep the focus on fun and fundraising but it’s also quite important everyone stays safe.”