The seventh Strip and Dip has broken an official Guinness World Record for the "most photos of people in water uploaded to Facebook in one hour".
Due to the restrictions in place for Covid 19, the challenge this year was for all ladies to take a Virtual Dip – in togs - to raise funds for Aoibheann’s Pink Tie.
The picture could be taken in the Bath, Shower, Paddling Pool, Beach – whatever suitsed. It then had to be uploaded to the Facebook Event Page between 2pm and 3pm.
It is the second world record for Strip and Dip, which has to date raised €780,000 for childhood cancer. In 2018, it broke the record for the World’s Largest Skinny Dip, with 2,505 women in attendance.
This year's event raised over €70,000 with "money still pouring in” said Dee Featherstone, organiser.
"The Strip and Dip started seven years ago. I was undergoing treatment for aggressive breast cancer and had a brainwave after my mastectomy to do something fun – and raise money for childhood cancer! The event itself has grown from 50 women in Year 1, to 2,500 women in Year 6 – a huge achievement".
Aoibheann’s Pink Tie “National Children’s Cancer Charity” was set up in 2010 by Mick Rochford and Jimmy Norman after the tragic loss of Jimmy’s daughter Aoibheann to cancer aged just 8 years. During Aoibheann’s year long battle with this dreadful disease, the family found little or no financial or practical support for children and their families.
Aoibheann’s Pink Tie helps with financial and practical support to the families of children diagnosed with cancer and who are attending St John’s Oncology Ward in Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital.
For this year's Strip and Dip event participants also sang a song, 'The Path That Chooses You' written by Meath songwriter Ollie Cole for the Sea of Change Choir and produced by Virtual Choir Music Director, Ian Brabazon.
The tune and accompanying video features over 400 voices recorded virtually from peoples homes and mixed to one beautiful song with the virtual dip pics included.
