Women all set to hit the water
LADIES from all over the Northeast and Ireland and as far away as London are gearing up to strip off for the 7th Annual North East Dip in the aid of NECRET (Northeast Cancer Research & Education Trust) at a local Co Louth or Co Meath beach. Due to take place on the morning of Sunday September 9th, those who have done the event once often as part of a bucket list tell of an experience of inspiring stories, camaraderie and great fun. In one word the most common description used is that of “empowering”.
Ladies can this still register for the Dip with the cut off point for completed registration forms extended to August 30th.
Organized by NECRET who support the Oncology Unit in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda fund activities that will improve the treatment and outcomes of people with cancer from across the North East including counties Louth, Meath, Cavan, Monaghan and North Dublin.
FOR those wondering what lays ahead, the very eloquent Shirley Carter from Duleek who is a volunteer with NECRET describes her NorthEast Dip experience
“As I left the house at 6.15am on Sunday, 11th September 2016 I looked East towards the coast and was stunned by the most beautiful sunrise. I had a feeling all along this was going to be an emotional, fulfilling and rewarding day and the pinky orange sunrise had just confirmed it to me. For a few days last week the forecast had given rain and winds but dawn breaking over the Irish Sea that morning made liars out of the weathermen. It was cool but clear, the rain thankfully far away.
As we set up the registration tables in the Westcourt Hotel, the dippers began to arrive. They were adorned with splashes of colour from vivid blue to cerise pink and wore nervous smiles on their faces. Some came in their fluffy dressing gowns, others in spotted onesies. Every face was different but their purpose here was the same.
One by one the ladies approached the table to register, receive their wrist bands and hand over their sponsorship cards. A number of ladies came alone, first time dippers who smiled nervously completely unsure of what they had let themselves in for. They looked at me skeptically as I explained how this would transform them and give them a new found love for their bodies and all they could do. Some ladies came in groups – from running clubs to groups of mums and everything in between. They buoyed eachother on, teased and laughed as they registered. Many of them had themes – blue wigs and onesies, pink wigs, feather boas, rainbow disco boppers.
They all underestimated the worth of their money – ‘I’m sorry I only got €70’, ‘I wish I had raised more’. Ladies when I say every penny counts, I mean EVERY penny. Your friends, relatives, co-workers and families are bombarded with charities looking for a slice of their pie. Fundraising these days is hard work in a climate where people have less money, more commitments and lots of events to support. No matter what you have raised, it is going to help immensely and every €10, €5 or even a euro wouldn’t be there if you hadn’t become involved.
It was plain to see that this was an emotional day for many of these women. Some sat down with tears in their eyes and I couldn’t even begin to imagine the journey that took them here.
A chorus of ‘we don’t have to take our clothes off, to have a good time’ burst out behind me as the dippers engaged in a little pre-dip zumba. The sense of camaraderie was astounding – many of these women had never met before yet had instantly bonded over their desire to do everything they could to fight cancer.
As we walked to the buses, a few puzzled early morning walkers did a double take, probably wondering if they had just stumbled across the biggest, most colourful early morning hen party they had ever seen.
The sun beamed down upon us as we travelled to the beach – as if showing its approval for what these brave ladies were about to do. As they made their way to the memory tree to tie on their wishes and thoughts, emotions were raw and some of the ladies took a small walk along the shore alone before the main event, clearly remembering loved ones they had lost to this terrible disease.
Spirits were high as they joined together for a final zumba before they tackled the freezing Irish Sea. The ladies who had earlier arrived alone, the first time dippers, the seasoned dunkers – they had all bonded together and were ready to face the waves. As they dropped their gowns and set off in a sprint, you could almost physically see them cast off their inhibitions. Their screams of cold mingled with laughter and song as they danced in the waves and held on to their wigs for fear of them floating out to sea.
These beautiful ladies emerged from the sea like ultimate Bond ladies – equal to eachother, no better or worse than anybody else. Their smiles were dazzling as some of their pain and sadness was taken away by the tide and nobody ran back for their dressing gowns. They strolled as if they had all the time in the world and didn’t care who was looking at them. And nobody was.
As they queued up for hot tea and sausage sandwiches, their joy was palpable. I lost count of the number of conversations I overheard with women declaring it was the best experience of their lives. Those nervous emotional women who sat before me at the registration table were transformed. They had given something valuable to NECRET but received something equally valuable back – the feeling that they had made a difference and a new appreciation for their bodies and the diversity of others.
Boarding the bus I could see them exchanging numbers and Facebook names – so many new friendships were formed on that beach yesterday morning as the sun shone and their memories fluttered in the breeze.
Some of that amazing spirit was left behind on the beach but most importantly what was left behind was a huge contribution to the work of the North East Cancer Research and Education Trust. What was left behind was hope for those facing cancer into the future, hope that what they did there yesterday morning could potentially save some lives.
Karen, Liz and their volunteers are incredible – unflappable and smiling throughout. It was a privilege to work with them and catch a glimpse of what goes on behind the scenes for charity fundraising.
As the tag says above ‘for all of the brave people living with cancer’ – whether that be your own diagnosis or that of a loved one, whether that be your fears of getting cancer or your grief over losing someone. We are all living with cancer but through the efforts of groups such as NECRET and those brave ladies who took a naked dip yesterday maybe some day we can win the fight.”