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The Christmas Eve dip at Helen’s Bay. Photo: Luke Jervis/Belfast Telegraph
The Christmas Eve dip at Helen’s Bay. Photo: Luke Jervis/Belfast Telegraph
The Christmas Eve dip at Helen’s Bay. Photo: Luke Jervis/Belfast Telegraph
The Christmas Eve dip at Helen’s Bay. Photo: Luke Jervis/Belfast Telegraph
Shannon Johnson, Karen Millar and Nikki Watson at the Christmas Eve dip at Helen’s Bay on 24th December 2025 (Luke Jervis/Belfast Telegraph)
The Christmas Eve dip at Helen’s Bay. Photo: Luke Jervis/Belfast Telegraph
The Christmas Eve dip at Helen’s Bay. Photo: Luke Jervis/Belfast Telegraph
The Christmas Eve dip at Helen’s Bay. Photo: Luke Jervis/Belfast Telegraph
The Christmas Eve dip at Helen’s Bay. Photo: Luke Jervis/Belfast Telegraph
The Christmas Eve dip at Helen’s Bay. Photo: Luke Jervis/Belfast Telegraph
The Christmas Eve dip at Helen’s Bay. Photo: Luke Jervis/Belfast Telegraph
The Christmas Eve dip at Helen’s Bay. Photo: Luke Jervis/Belfast Telegraph
Stephanie Finnegan with dog Summer and Emma Cole with her dog Hugo at Helen’s Bay on 24th December 2025 (Luke Jervis/Belfast Telegraph)
Christmas Eve dip at Helen’s Bay. Photo: Luke Jervis/Belfast Telegraph
Shannon Johnson, Karen Millar and Nikki Watson at the Christmas Eve dip at Helen’s Bay on 24th December 2025 (Luke Jervis/Belfast Telegraph)
Andrew Muir MLA and Councillor Gillian McCollum at the Christmas Eve dip at Helen’s Bay on 24th December 2025 (Luke Jervis/Belfast Telegraph)
Stephanie Finnegan with dog Summer and Emma Cole with her dog Hugo at Helen’s Bay on 24th December 2025 (Luke Jervis/Belfast Telegraph)
Aidan Malone from Division Mountain Men at Helen’s Bay on 24th December 2025 (Luke Jervis/Belfast Telegraph)
Christmas Eve dip at Helen’s Bay. Photo: Luke Jervis/Belfast Telegraph
Christmas Eve dip at Helen’s Bay. Photo: Luke Jervis/Belfast Telegraph
Christmas Eve dip at Helen’s Bay. Photo: Luke Jervis/Belfast Telegraph
Christmas Eve dip at Helen’s Bay. Photo: Luke Jervis/Belfast Telegraph
Christmas Eve dip at Helen’s Bay. Photo: Luke Jervis/Belfast Telegraph
Christmas Eve dip at Helen’s Bay on 24th December 2025 (Luke Jervis/Belfast Telegraph)
Christmas Eve dip at Helen’s Bay on 24th December 2025 (Luke Jervis/Belfast Telegraph)
Christmas Eve dip at Helen’s Bay on 24th December 2025 (Luke Jervis/Belfast Telegraph)
Katherine Lynn and Louise Jackson at the Christmas Eve dip at Helen’s Bay on 24th December 2025 (Luke Jervis/Belfast Telegraph)
Sam and Lynda at the Christmas Eve dip at Helen’s Bay on 24th December 2025 (Luke Jervis/Belfast Telegraph)
Christmas Eve dip at Helen’s Bay on 24th December 2025 (Luke Jervis/Belfast Telegraph)
Alanna, Patricia and Karen at the Christmas Eve dip at Helen’s Bay on 24th December 2025 (Luke Jervis/Belfast Telegraph)
Katherine Lynn at the Christmas Eve dip at Helen’s Bay on 24th December 2025 (Luke Jervis/Belfast Telegraph)
Christmas Eve dip at Helen’s Bay on 24th December 2025 (Luke Jervis/Belfast Telegraph)
Christmas Eve dip at Helen’s Bay. Photo: Luke Jervis/Belfast Telegraph
Mark Simpson at the Christmas Eve dip at Helen’s Bay on 24th December 2025 (Luke Jervis/Belfast Telegraph)
By Bairbre Holmes, Press Association
Press AssociationToday at 15:30
Hundreds of swimmers dashed and danced into the sea for a charity dip at Helen’s Bay in Co Down on Wednesday.
This year’s Santa Splash started with carol singing and bell ringing before a warm-up session led by local fitness coaches Eamon Swail and Calvin Brennan.
The Christmas Eve dip at Helen’s Bay. Photo: Luke Jervis/Belfast Telegraph
At 11am the Christmas Eve crowd raced into the cold water of Belfast Lough decked out in Santa hats, tinsel and elf ears.
Among them was Agriculture Minister and local MLA and Mayor of Ards and North Down Councillor Gillian McCollum.
Andrew Muir MLA and Councillor Gillian McCollum at the Christmas Eve dip at Helen’s Bay on 24th December 2025 (Luke Jervis/Belfast Telegraph)
This year’s event is in aid of two charities, Dementia NI and the Air Ambulance Northern Ireland.
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