As a result of a very successful Porthcawl Christmas Morning Swim, the Presentation Evening held at the Hi-tide Inn, Porthcawl saw the formal handing over of monies raised by the committee, totalling £4,850, to local organisations chosen to benefit this year. 

The main beneficiaries were Macmillan Cancer Support who received £1500 and The Wales Air Ambulance who received £1000.  Cheques were presented by Deputy Mayor of Porthcawl Town Council, Councillor Rosemary Deere, on behalf of the swim committee.  

Chairman Mel Bishop, presented donations to, Porthcawl YMCA, Porthcawl Stroke Club, Ogwr District Talking Newspapers Association, and Kidney Research Unit for Wales Foundation (KRUF). He then thanked the many people who had helped out on Christmas Day and presented donations to the following, The Fire Service Benevolent Fund, Porthcawl Buckaneers, Porthcawl and Pyle Boxing Club, St. John Ambulance, Porthcawl Coastguard Association, Porthcawl RNLI Crew Fund, Gilgal Church 14/11 Youth Club and Rest Bay Lifeguard Club

Spokesperson Ian Stroud, said, “On behalf of the Organisers I wish to thank both Vic Davies and Chris Hughes for their support in leading out the swimmers once again this year.  They were accompanied to the waters edge by Porthcawl Town Council’s Mayor, Councillor David Newton-Williams and his Mayoress Gaynor, who took to the water and ‘enjoyed’ her first swim. This has been our most successful swim ever, with over 930 swimmers taking part.

The list of entries made interesting reading; for example entrants came from Northants, Suffolk, Middlesex, Birmingham, Bath, Hereford, London and internationally Holland, Ireland, France, USA, Switzerland, Germany”. 

Treasurer, Marilyn Richards, said “One area helping to boost donations to our chosen beneficiaries is that of swimmers sponsorship and I would like to thank them for their extra support.  Unfortunately not all swimmers notify us of their individual sponsorship and donations so we can only estimate that the community probably benefits by at least a further £5000.  

Chairman, Mel Bishop, said “We would like to thank all swimmers, spectators, individuals, businesses and organisations that help in so many ways to make the swim such a successful event in the town’s calendar. The atmosphere on the day was very special, there were individuals, families and groups who entered the swim, many of whom were in fancy dress and all seemed to be enjoying themselves.”