Hundreds of scuba diving Santa Claus' to raise money for RNLI

With the festive season now upon us, there is no better way to celebrate than by raising money for the RNLI and cheer on hundreds of Santas as they plunge into the icy waters of Vobster Quay in Radstock, Somerset in the name of charity.

The scuba diving Santas will enter the waters on Sunday 18th December to help raise money for the charity that plays a vital role in saving lives around the UK's coastline.

The annual event is being hosted by the RNLI and will kick off the countdown to SOS Day which will take place on 27th January, 2012. This year's scuba diving adventures are in aid of the RNLI's lifejacket campaign, which will help raise funds to provide the South West's 35 lifeboat stations with brand new state-of-the-art lifejackets.

Two newly-qualified scuba divers who are getting ready to dress up as Santa Claus include Terry Nash, a tool hire supervisor with Jewson, and Martin Sherwood, an advertising sales representative for the Hampshire Chronicle.

Image by : Lloydwatkin, on Flickr.

"It's always great when you can combine a passion or hobby with raising money and awareness for good causes," explained Mr Sherwood.

"Our sport, like many others, relies on the RNLI in times of need but not many people know that they are independent from the Government and rely solely on voluntary donations and legacies to continue.

"This was one of the main reasons for us both participating in the event and to try and raise as much money as possible."

Last year's festive scuba diving efforts and SOS Day raised £5,000 for the lifeboat charity.

Image by : Lloydwatkin, on Flickr.

Frances Warren, the charity's community fundraising manager, commented: "Vobster Quay has built up a huge following of Santas all ready to get into their dive gear and brave the freezing water. It's a truly amazing sight to see a swarm of red outfits and a mass of fluffy white beards."

Vobster Quay has said that it will donate an additional 50p for every £1 raised through sponsorship of the event, up to a maximum of £1,500.

The Santas will be entered in a raffle where they will have the chance to win a selection of prizes including a ticket to TEKCamp 2012 worth £350, a set of Fourth Element Drybase dry suit under garments, and a day's scuba diving with Scimitiar, a dive charter company in Dorset. The divers will also be in with a chance of winning one of ten training days with some big names in the technical diving industry.

Image by : Lloydwatkin, on Flickr.

Scuba diving holidays are on the rise with adrenalin-seeking travellers and underwater photographers keen to explore the magnificent underwater world in the UK and in exotic locations all over the world.

Popular scuba diving destinations include the Caribbean; Red Sea resorts such as Sharm el Sheikh and Hurghada; the Maldives; Hawaii, Thailand and Malaysia; Mediterranean islands; and Australia's renowned Great Barrier Reef.