LYME REGIS: The annual dip on New Year's Day will commemorate the loss of more than 500 lives during the First World War.


The 2015 Lyme Lunge will mark 100 years since a German U-Boat sunk the British Destroyer HMS Formidable in Lyme Bay - with more than 500 people losing their lives.

This year's event, renamed 'The Formidable Lyme Lunge' will raise funding for armed forces charity Help For Heroes. The 2014 event raised more than £5,000 for local charities after swimmers in fancy dress took part.

Now in its seventh year, the Lyme Lunge is organised by the Rotary Club of Lyme Regis and will be attended by the RNLI and St John Ambulance, along with a safety boat at sea.

Jim Moseley from the Rotary Club of Lyme Regis, said: “We are raising the money this year for Help For Heroes as we thought it would be a nice idea to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the sinking of HMS Formidable.

“It's up to people to do their own fundraising if they like - but we would like them to let us know how much they have raised.

“Last year we raised around £2,500, but with other people's fundraising, between us we collected around £5,000 in total. People don't have to register as it's the last thing people want to be doing when they are hanging about in the cold, some of them not wearing very much.”

This time, the event will see a newlywed couple take on the challenge, dressing in their wedding outfits - along with 50 guests.

After a quick warm up, the Formidable Lyme Lunge will start promptly at 1pm. Organisers are hoping more than 200 people will take part this time after 180 swimmers took the plunge in 2014.

“After the swim, there will be hot soup for those taking part, thanks to By The Bay restaurant, and marquees for people to get changed” said Jim.

“We use the motto 'are you up for it' which I think sums it up nicely. It's a bit of fun, but can sometimes be a bit of a shock for some people, particularly after a heavy night on New Year's Eve.”

For more information and to download a sponsorship form, log onto lymeregisrotary.org