North East Skinny Dip takes place at Druridge Bay

[Brendarella]

The crack of dawn! Dozens of skinny dippers welcome sunrise with a naked swim in the North Sea to raise money for charity

North East Skinny Dip takes place at Druridge Bay, Northumberland every year around the Autumn Equinox
The nudist event celebrates the change of the seasons and raises charity for mental health charity MIND
Bathers strip down to their birthday suits and run into the freezing North Sea as the sun rises over the water

Brave bathers stripped naked and ran into the sea as the sun rose over the Northumberland coast this morning for the North East Skinny Dip.
The annual event sees hundreds of people bear all and make a splash in the freezing cold waters of the North Sea every year.
With the aim of celebrating the Autumn Equinox and raising money for mental health charity MIND, the mass skinny dip has raised over £25,000 for charity since it began in 2012.

This morning just before the sun rose at 7am over 400 people gathered on the beach at Druridge Bay, 30 miles north of Newcastle.
They held hands as they watched the sun rise above the water, showering the sky with amazing reds, oranges and yellows.
Sunderland-based performer Penella Bee kicked off proceedings with a fire dance before revellers took the plunge.

Describing the event, organisers said: 'It is about celebrating life and nature and our own, unique, physical bodies. It is about taking a risk and embracing a moment of pure joy and freedom.
'And most importantly it is about coming together and supporting each other in this crazy life!
'Registration is a pledge to MIND. Since 2012 we have collectively raised over £25,000 to strengthen the work of this incredible charity in the hope that one day we may all walk free of our struggles with mental health.'
After braving the freezing cold temperatures, the nudists were treated to a breakfast barbecue at a nearby cafe, which operates on a 'pay-as-you-feel' basis.

Organiser Jax Higginson came up with the idea for the dip after taking part in a similar event in Wales.
She told the Evening Chronicle: 'We always have a positive response.
'People do it one year then come back again and again. We've grown every year so far - people come back with a friend.'
Posting on Twitter before braving the water, Nikki Ranson said: 'Up early and it's dark must be nuts!!! I wonder how cold it is!! at 7am.'
Darren Read said afterwards: 'Done the North East Skinny Dip at Druridge Bay and it was bloody freezing brrr.' 

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4914706/Bathers-strip-North-East-Skinny-Dip.html

[Mettis]

Cool article and a good idea to raise money for charity. 
Thanks for sharing 

[Brendarella]

You'll see plenty of really good photos from the event if you visit the website (the link can be found at the bottom of the article, above)