Swimmers strip down at dawn for North East Skinny Dip

Crowds took to the waves at dawn this morning (Sunday, September 29) as the charity event - dubbed "the experience of a lifetime" - saw participants strip down and run towards the sea. 

The sky had a beautiful orange and purple hue as the skinny dip kicked off at Druridge Bay at 7am, with those taking part raising vital funds for mental health awareness for Tyneside & Northumberland Mind. 

The 2024 event - the 12th of its kind - saw an estimated 1,200 flock to the beach and brought people together from all across the UK. 
An estimated 1,200 people got naked at the event (Image: Raoul Dixon / NNP)

People had a 5am wakeup call before heading to the beach - and following a brief, comedy warm-up, the clothes came off around 7am and people headed for the sea.

Then it was time to get wrapped up, grab a coffee, and some food. 

Many have already taken to Facebook to praise the event, describing the "beautiful sunrise" and "amazing" morning. 

The beautiful sunrise on the morning of the event (Image: Raoul Dixon / NNP) The event raises huge funds for local mental health charity Mind (Image: Raoul Dixon / NNP)

One person said: "Absolutely stunning sunrise with amazing people. The best way to start the day."

Described as a "celebration of life, of nature, and of our own unique physical bodies," it follows on from a hugely successful 2023 event that saw 1300 skinny dippers attend with almost £40,000 being raised for mental health. 

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It's also more than just a morning event too - with many arriving on the Saturday evening for camping and an open campfire, filled with voices, instruments and laughter.

While the event has raised funds for Mind since its inception in 2012, it has specifically drummed up funds for the local Mind branch since 2016, meaning all proceeds goes to improving the mental health services in the area. 

So far, more than £120,000 has been raised.