MORE than 30 people took part in a charity dip at Saltburn on Tuesday to raise funds for two wheelchair-using siblings to transform their back garden into a safe play area.
Cohen Cartwright, seven, and his brother Indie, four, were both born with a rare genetic condition which only affects 100 people in the UK, and need to use frames or wheelchairs to get around.
DIP: Charity dip in Saltburn for Smile for a Child, the money will go to Cohen 7 and Indie 4 who use wheelchairs and want to transform their back garden into a safe play area picture: SARAH CALDECOTT
Along with parents Laura and James, they recently moved to a new home in Redcar and needed to raise £7,000 to transform the empty back garden with artificial grass so they can get around easily.
The cheque for the full amount was handed to them ahead of the dip yesterday by A Smile for a Child charity founder Chris Read, of Winston, near Barnard Castle, who organised the event.
He said more than £3,800 was raised by brave souls who dared to dive into the freezing North Sea, and the charity topped the amount up to £7,000.
Participants dressed up as Santa and ran down the beach into the sea – and Cohen and Indie were there to cheer them on.
Mr Read and his son, Ben, who was dressed in a tiny reindeer “mankini”, ate a curry on the beach served up by charity sponsors Spice Island, of Barnard Castle, before dashing into the icy sea.
The fundraiser, of Winston, Teesdale, set up the charity eight years ago to help disabled and disadvantaged children get into sport.
He takes on charity challenges from bag packing to running along the Great Wall of China.
He has raised more than £1m for good causes - and said every penny from the Santa dip goes straight into the pockets of those who benefit.
“We all had different Santa costumes on – there were some really good ones.
“It was very cold but the weather was lovely – and it was great to see the boys there.
“We might do another Santa dip in July when the water is a bit warmer, and then they can take part too.”
He said je was alerted to the brothers’ need for astroturf by his charity’s patron Cath McNicol,who coaches Cohen and Indie’s powerchair football team.
For more information visit asmileforachild.org or call Mr Read on 07904448296.
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