Porthcawl Buccaneers, organisers of Porthcawl Carnival and the Porthcawl Christmas Morning Swim donated a share of £10,500 to Porthcawl Lifeboat Station.

The Christmas Morning Swim’s two main beneficiaries, Porthcawl RNLI and Wales Air Ambulance, received their cheques from Mayor of Porthcawl, Councillor Alana Davies.

Christmas Swim treasurer, Marilyn Smith said, ‘Besides the cheques we have donated this evening we are also aware of several thousand pounds more that some organisations will benefit from, as a result of sponsorship not included in this evening’s total.

Porthcawl Coastguard Association were also presented with a donation by Bridgend Mayor, Councillor Marlene Thomas in thanks for their help with safety during the Swim.

Spokesman for the organisers, Ian Stroud told guests, ‘Thanks to the generosity shown by swimmers and spectators on Christmas morning we had a very good bucket collection. Our funds were also boosted this year by some swimmers raising money for us via sponsorship. Added with the money raised by our committee before Christmas, this all helped to boost the amount we were able to donate. Thanks also have to go to all the spectators who generously give their coins to all collectors who walk the Porthcawl Carnival route alongside the colourful floats.

Commenting on the evening the Buccaneer’s Martin Owen said, ‘There was tremendous goodwill demonstrated at the presentation and whilst we who represent the Carnival and the Swim committee consider we work hard to put on our respective events many of our guests, representing local organisations, spend many hours for the benefit of our community and we were very pleased to offer them some financial help’.

Nicola Willis said ‘As an organising committee we were delighted in the way we have been supported again this year. We would like to thank all swimmers, spectators, individuals, businesses and organisations who help us in so many ways to make the swim such a successful event in Porthcawl’s calendar.