Dip in the Nip Foundation

Charity Description :

Mothers. Fathers. Aunts. Husbands. Daughters. Best friends.

Cancer doesn’t discriminate.

Dip in the Nip raises vital funds for cancer charities across Ireland. We do it by getting hundreds of people together on a beach, shedding our clothes  - and legging it into the North Atlantic. It’s the world’s first skinny dip for charity.

It’s more than getting naked, getting cold and getting wet. In the ocean, everyone is equal. Proud bellies, mastectomy scars, cellulite, we’re all there. Skinny-dipping is the ultimate in life-affirmation, so the Dip in the Nip lets us celebrate life in all its beauty.

Dip for yourself, for loved ones, or for those you’ve lost. Whatever your reason, join thousands of others who have peeled off and take part in the next Dip in the Nip.

Since 2009 we’ve raised nearly €300,000.  Will you help us raise more?

When cancer marks us, we need life affirming moments and a way to find cheer amidst the doom and gloom. Find your next Dip in the Nip or donate today.

“My first thought was I would love to do that. My second thought was that I would be a freak. And then I realised; I have to do it. For me”  (2009 Dipper who had undergone a double mastectomy).

Charity Overview :

Started in 2009 by Máire Garvey, the first Dip was a women only event which took one morning at beautiful Lissadell beach. Máire thought that perhaps 50 women might show up. Instead, 180 women bared all and ran, laughing and screaming, into the North Atlantic. And between them raised €56,000 for the Irish Cancer Society.

Since 2009 the Dips have grown and continue to raise much needed funds for cancer charities. We’ve had Sir Terry Wogan countdown a Dip live from his radio show in the UK, we’ve had 17 year olds and 71 year olds, mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, friends - and everyone in between. We’ve helped people into the water, we’re helped people out for anyone can Dip in the Nip.

With Dips for women, Dips for men and Dips for couples, we choose beaches that – as funny as it sounds – protect Dippers’ privacy. Because what the Dip in the Nip is not is a nudist or naturalist event. This is a closely monitored charity event that first and foremost is a fundraiser, but also offers something very unique to participants. Most of our Dippers – perhaps surprisingly – have never skinny-dipped before, and we are very aware of the trust that they place in us when choosing to participate. So every effort is made to ensure that their privacy is protected, and as a result, many have Dipped more than once.

Friendships are forged in those waves.

“I can’t climb a mountain or run a marathon, but I can strip off my clothes and run into the sea’.” (2011 Dipper who had just completed chemotherapy).

Where Your Money Goes :

Where the money goes

Cancer affects 1 in 3 people in Ireland, and that figure is set to rise. There is a lot of good work being done in terms of research, treatment and support, but all of the organisations undertaking this work struggle to get funding.
 

Dip in the Nip can help by doing what it does best – raising money. Up to 70% of all monies raised go to the charities that the Dip partners with, and all costs are covered by the Dip in the Nip’s percentage.

The very first Dip in the Nip in 2009 raised money for the Action Breast Cancer Programme of the Irish Cancer Society. Since then all the Dips have raised money for cancer charities.

Our Partners

To date, Dip in the Nip has raised money for the Irish Cancer Society, Sligo Hospital Oncology Unit Trust (Sligo), Hand in Hand Children’s Cancer Charity (Galway),  Drogheda Cancer Research & Education Trust (Drogheda) and Midwest Cancer Foundation (Limerick). As more Dip in the Nips are added, more charities will benefit.

Scalp Coolers

A priority of the Dip in the Nip over the new few years is to fund the purchase of scalp coolers. Scalp coolers are very successful in minimising - and sometimes preventing  - hair loss during chemotherapy treatments. They can also help maintain a positive body image at this challenging time. Over the next 5 years Dip in the Nip wants to ensure that ALL cancer patients have the opportunity and choice to use scalp coolers.