MORE than £5,500 raised by the record-breaking 2025 Tenby Boxing Day Swim has been donated to help organisations at the heart of the community.

The legendary event splashed out in the sunshine with an ‘all things Welsh’ theme and saw 1,125 festive dippers take the plunge from the North Beach.

“We’re so grateful to everybody who put so much work in leading up to December 26, and those who helped on the day,” said Tenby Sea Swimming Association chairman Sam Skyrme-Blackhall at the swim’s recent presentation evening at the town’s Imperial Hotel.

“It was such a team effort with so many people involved.”

Sam also thanked TSSA president Chris Osborne, whose family established the swim more than 50 years ago. “If it were not for them, there wouldn’t be a Tenby Boxing Day Swim,” she said.

She was delighted to announce that thanks to the generous response from the public and local sponsors – headlined by Harbwr Brewery – that the swim would be able to give a helping hand to six local organisations.

Tenby RNLI, Tenby Sea Cadets, The Old Chapel and Sandy Bear each received £1,100; Tenby Surf Lifesaving Club was presented with £1,000 and Tenby Rowing Club was given £150.

Tenby Rowing Club is thanked for their help with the Tenby Boxing Day Swim.
Tenby Rowing Club is thanked for their help with the swim. Photo: Gareth Davies Photography (Photo: Gareth Davies Photography)

Martin Jones, business development manager of Sandy Bear, revealed that last year alone, over 1,000 youngsters had been helped by the children’s bereavement charity.

“We are currently helping over 30 families in Tenby alone,” he said.

Tenby Boxing Day Swim president Chris Osborne, chairman Sam Skyrme-Blackhall and the mayor of Tenby, Dai Morgan, present the Sandy Bear cheque to the charity's business development manager, Martin Jones.
Swim president Chris Osborne, chairman Sam Skyrme-Blackhall and the mayor of Tenby, Dai Morgan, present the Sandy Bear cheque to the charity's business development manager, Martin Jones. Photo: Gareth Davies Photography (Photo: Gareth Davies Photography)

Tenby RNLI station manager Carl Evans described the swim as ‘iconic’ , embedded in the life of the town in a similar way to the RNLI and Tenby Sea Cadets.

The Tenby RNLI cheque is received by coxswain Gary Waring and crew; station manager Carl Evans and branch fundraising chairman Nicole Evans.
The Tenby RNLI cheque is received by coxswain Gary Waring and crew; station manager Carl Evans and branch fundraising chairman Nicole Evans. Photo: Gareth Davies Photography (Photo: Gareth Davies Photography)

Tenby’s mayor, Cllr Dai Morgan, said he was proud to be involved with the cadet organisation, which now has over 40 members.

Mayor Dai Morgan receives the Tenby Sea Cadets cheque. Also pictured is Richard Johnson, brewery manager for the event's main sponsor, Harbwr Brewery.
Mayor Dai Morgan receives the Tenby Sea Cadets cheque. Also pictured is Richard Johnson, brewery manager for the event's main sponsor, Harbwr Brewery. Photo: Gareth Davies Photography (Photo: Gareth Davies Photography)

“The confidence and life skills it gives the youngsters is something else, they just bloom,” he said.

Ian Rees of The Old Chapel, Tenby, is presented with a Boxing Day Swim cheque to help the community facility.
Ian Rees of The Old Chapel, Tenby, is presented with a Boxing Day Swim cheque to help the community facility. Photo: Gareth Davies Photography (Photo: Gareth Davies Photography)

The donation to The Old Chapel, which provides a warm community space with coffee shop, book shop and a welcome to the homeless, was received by its owner Ian Rees.

“The money will go towards heating costs, and it will be a big help to keep the place warm and welcoming,” he said.