SEVENTEEN hardy foreign and Turkish souls – including a sprightly 77-year-old – dived into the Aegean for a challenging swim to raise much needed funds for Didim’s disabled and underprivileged.
The fourth Didim Help-in-Hands annual swim surpassed itself last Sunday when crowds of people lined the beach and cliff head to cheer on the record breaking number of entrants that took to the water at Marti Sitesi, Yesilkent.
About 45 minutes later the first three strongest participants arrived at the Tuntas Hotel on Second Beach.
Swimmers and supporters then convened at the Kusmez Hotel where Didim Mayor Deniz Atabay presented certificates to the swimmers, the eldest being Molly Harrison, aged 77, who raised a fantastic 1200TL.
The occasion has now become a permanent fixture and with the help of the Town Council and the Department of Culture plans are underway to make next year’s swim bigger and better, and add a festival appeal to the whole event.
Taking to the water were: Sue Toft, David Ballard, Glenn Collings, Omer Ozgur, Nusret Tankal, Ray Hargreaves, Molly Harrison, Ahmet Anilir, Osman Ayyildiz, Angela Ayres, Ziya Yerlikaya, Bedri Altintas, Jackie Elsmore, Ilker Gonul, Aslan Karabagli, Peter Guest and Lynn Cole.
Previous annual swims have helped raise money to buy electric wheelchairs for members of the disabled community of Didim and greatly increase their mobility.
Lynn, the Help-in-Hands coordinator, said: “The day was absolutely fantastic and I was delighted that not only so many people took part, but there were many on land cheering everyone on.
“The organization from the local authorities was great and we are very happy to have been met by Mr Atabay. The fact that a person from the Ministry of Culture was there as well will hopefully draw further attention to the event in future years.”
Money is still pouring in from the event and Voices will provide an update on the amount raised in due course.
Members of Help in hands will be doing an Ice Bucket Challenge at Red Bar, Yesilkent, this Sunday 14, from 6pm followed by a quiz.