A CROWD of 13 women braved the waters of the North Sea at Seaton Carew in aid of a Barnard Castle child’s battle against cancer.
Organised by staff at Oliviers furniture shop, the sea dip raised cash for eight-year-old Abigail Ford who was diagnosed with neuroblastoma earlier this year.
In August male staff members, along with family and friends, put their hair on the line for head shaves and body waxes to raise cash, but this time round the women decided they wanted to do something too.
Abigail’s grandmother, Gina Russell, who works at the shop, said: “The men braved the shaves so the women decided to brave the dip.”
The group made for a mesmerising sight as they were dressed in black with pink tutus as they took to the water.
Mrs Russell said: “We managed ten to 15 minutes in the water. It was as bad as we thought it would be, but when the water got to chest height it took your breath way.”
So far, the two events have raised £2,219.33 which will be shared equally between Abigail’s Fight Against Neuroblastoma and Young Lives VS Cancer.
Mrs Russell extended her thanks to the Boyes store, in Barnard Castle, which donated £40 in vouchers after hearing about the cause when she went in to buy fabric for the tutus.
She said: “This was totally unexpected – people have been so kind and supportive. The amount we have raised
is beyond what we had hoped.”
She also thanked her colleagues, customers and supporters for what they had done for Abigail’s family.
Last week Abigail underwent a five-day course of chemotherapy and her grandmother said she was “taking everything in her stride and is doing well in herself” .
People who still want to donate can visit justgiving.com/
crowdfunding/oliviersfightagainstcancer.
