1st April 2018.  On April Fool’s Day, watchkeepers from NCI Caister took part in a charity dip by the station.

Watchkeepers James Ryder-Jones, who dressed up as Chicken Run Chuck, and Micky Parker, who resembled a Baywatch lifeguard, were joined by station supporter Tracey Chapman of Lidl took part in a charity dip in the freezing cold North Sea, cheered on by about 60 onlookers and serenaded by the Caister Coastwatch Shanty Singers. A station spokesman said: “Coastwatch at Caister enjoyed an amazing morning as their watchkeepers and the lovely Tracey braved a dip in the cold North Sea for a sponsored swim. This had been postponed from New Year’s Day. A huge thank you to you all for raising funds for us and to the people of Caister who came along to support us.” The station also thanked Ikon Medical Services for providing medical cover at the event.

It is hoped the dip will raise £300 and the money raised will go towards buying new equipment for the lookout station which is sited above the heritage centre by Caister Lifeboat Station.

The charity swim had originally been planned to take place on New Year’s Day but was postponed following the disappearance of Gorleston student Sophie Smith, who was last seen on Boxing Day.

The photograph (courtesy of the Great Yarmouth Mercury) shows James Ryder-Jones, Tracey Chapman and Micky Parker.