PEOPLE in Helensburgh with a penchant for taking a plunge on New Year’s Day will be accustomed to the freezing cold temperatures of the Gareloch, but for the braver bunch of Helensburgh and Lomond residents there is another water-based challenge lined up this year.

Charity Civil Rights First, based at Strathleven House in Dumbarton, is planning a Boxing Day dip at Luss beach to raise funds for a good cause.

The organisation, launched last year, helps vulnerable people access justice, through an advice and advocacy service.

Director Dionne McCabe said: “We have got quite a wide range of people coming to us with different issues.

“We work with a lot of disabled people, trying to get them the right service from their local authority, and we want to give people access to justice.

READ MORE: Pictures from Helensburgh's 2019 New Year's Day Swim

“It’s been quite challenging getting grant funding, so we are doing our own events to try and grow the organisation and allow us to help more people wherever we are needed.”

Those who take part in the fun-filled event on Thursday, December 26 will be rewarded with a hot drink and a bacon butty afterwards.

Participants must be 18 and over – or 10 with parental consent – and anyone with a disability or pre-existing medical condition is advised to inform organisers beforehand.

Participants will meet at Luss Parish Church for 11am on the day.

If you’d like to sign up, contact Dionne McCabe on 07738 573413 or email dionnemccabe@civilrightsfirst.co.uk for entry and sponsor forms.

More information about the dip, and the project, is available on the Civil Rights First Facebook page.

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