Exactly 158 divers entered the water at the inland dive site near Frome and, apart from the fundraising, are claiming a world record for simultaneously diving Santas.
It was a jolly cold day – but then you cannot take Santa’s name in vain. Freezing conditions are the order of the day.
A raffle run on the day has already raised £658 for the RNLI. The event’s organiser, the Yorkshire Divers Group, hopes to raise up to £5000 for the lifeboats once sponsorships and donations have been totted up.
Should the £5000 target be reached, Vobster Quay Inland Diving Centre has pledged a further £1000 to the cause.
Donations can still be made at www.justgiving.com/scubasantas2009.
Yorkshire Divers’ Scuba Santas phenomenon has built up in just three years.
In 2007 eight Santas, accompanied by a Viking, a snowman and a fairy dived for the RNLI. Last year 84 Santas made it for another RNLI fundraiser.
Needless to say, the Santas will be back again on 19 December next year. Whether or not we want Arctic conditions to arrive with them is a moot point!
Related links
Yorkshire Divers
Scuba Santas
Vobster Quay