A GROUP of fundraising legends have returned for their third annual charity challenge.

What started in 2022 as a group of friends meeting a few times a week for some cold water therapy has grown into something much bigger since then.

Back then, the team of Lee Riddex, Tam Kane, James McLeod, James Booth, Colin Booth, Gordon Woods, Joe Smith, Tony Clarke, and David Kane decided that their endeavours could be put towards something much more.

That was when their fundraising challenge was born, with the dippers aiming to complete an accumulative number of dips in the baltic waters of Ardrossan south beach between November 1 and Boxing Day.

They decided their efforts would be completed in aid of a local charity - the North Ayrshire Foodbank.

Setting an initial goal of 200 dips to raise £1,000 in 2022, they quite literally blew both targets out of the water - raising nearly £25,000 in the process.

Embarking on the same challenge again in 2023, The Grey Dippers produced once more and the community got behind their efforts with a similar total raised.

And with November 1 having rolled around, those familiar faces are back in the water once again - with their latest fundraising campaign kickstarted.

The dipping target for this year is set at 250 - and is already more than 10 per cent complete - though the ultimate goal will be raising money for charity before their final dip on Boxing Day.

As always, anyone interested in joining along the way is more than welcome - with all invited to their final effort on December 26.

(Image: The Grey Dippers)

A spokesperson said: "As crazy as it sounds we are planning to complete as many cold water dips as we can from November 1 until Boxing day.

"On Boxing Day we will complete the journey with a family and friends dip. Everyone is invited so come along and get involved.

"It will be extremely difficult, and as always, it will be easy to fail. It will be extremely cold, and there will be times we want to quit but we will see the challenge through again for this cause that is close to our hearts.

"We cant do this without the help of all the supporters. We have been in awe of the generosity over the last two years and if we can get more of that this year we will be forever grateful."

Those looking to make a donation can do so online at tinyurl.com/TheGreyDippers2024.

The group are also on the look out for wider support of their campaign this time around.

They are asking all who may be interested to get involved by advertising their efforts, placing a charity tin in their business, sponsoring a dip or holding a raffle in aid of their cause.

Those who wish to take up this opportunity should message the group via The Grey Dippers Facebook page.