Tenby’s famous Boxing Day Swim splashed out into its second half-century with a record-breaking Disney-themed dip - and the organisers have now given donations to three organisations who have helped the event’s success and safety over the years.

The presentation of £1,000 cheques to Tenby RNLI, Tenby Surflink and St John Ambulance Cymru was made by Tenby Sea Swimming Association chairman Chris Osborne.

The presentation held at the Mayor’s Parlour at the seaside town’s De Valence Pavilion was Chris’s last time in the chairman’s role, as he announced that both he and secretary Nicole Evans would be retiring from the committee after many years’ service.

Chris – whose family have been associated with the swim since its inception – said his time as chairman had been ‘huge fun and extremely rewarding’.

He will now become life president of TSSA, following in the footsteps of his late mother, Gly Osborne, and late uncle, Idris Morgan.

Taking over as chairman is Sam Skyrme-Blackhall – who is also County Councillor for Tenby South, while her husband Laurence Blackhall, will be the new secretary.,

Sam said: “It is remarkable that something that started by the Osborne family in Tenby all those years ago has grown into the huge tradition that is our Boxing Day Swim.

“It is a true tribute to Chris that the last swim in 2023 had over a thousand swimmers taking the plunge. That is his legacy.”

“I will endeavour to continue to carry the swim forward with enthusiasm and support from them and others and all those who make it such a wonderful event on our festive calendar.”

Chris thanked everyone who had helped to make the 2023 swim – the 51st in its history – such a success.

Between online entry fees and the bucket collection, more than £3,900 had been raised for TSSA funds, and there were some outstanding individual fundraising efforts.

Seven-year-old Teddy Gomez raised £892 for the Shooting Star Children’s Hospital, while St Clears RFC Under 14s raised £1,500 for Glangwili Hospital Chemo Unit.

This took the swim’s fundraising total to nearly £6,500, meaning that over its lifetime, the swim has raised a total of £301,500 for charities and good causes.

The event was sponsored by Harbour Wealth Independent Financial Planners; the Port of Milford Haven and Outer Reef.

Fancy dress prizes were donated by Heatherton World of Activities, Tenby Harbwr Brewery, Tenby Bookshop and Sainsbury’s.