Brave bathers stripped naked and ran into the sea as the sun rose over the Northumberland coast this morning for the North East Skinny Dip.
The annual event sees hundreds of people bear all and make a splash in the freezing cold waters of the North Sea every year.
With the aim of celebrating the Autumn Equinox and raising money for mental health charity MIND, the mass skinny dip has raised over £25,000 for charity since it began in 2012.
The North East Skinny Dip took place for the sixth time this morning as hundreds of nudists took to the beach at Druridge Bay, Northumberland for just before 7am
The North East Skinny Dip is an annual event where people strip down to their birthday suits and run into the sea to celebrate the Autumn Equinox and raise money for the mental health charity MIND
Skinny dippers walked into the waves at Druridge Bay just before 7am today as the sun rose across the North Sea
Last year’s event saw 400 skinny dippers brave the icy waters of the North Sea to celebrate the Autumn Equinox
Since it first started in 2012 the North East Skinny Dip has raised over £25,000 for mental health charity MIND. Pictured are the hundreds of brave revellers who took part in today’s event
This morning just before the sun rose at 7am over 400 people gathered on the beach at Druridge Bay, 30 miles north of Newcastle.
They held hands as they watched the sun rise above the water, showering the sky with amazing reds, oranges and yellows.
Sunderland-based performer Penella Bee kicked off proceedings with a fire dance before revellers took the plunge.
These brave men and women ran into the chilly North Sea just before 7am today. The skinny dip celebrates the change of the seasons and raises money and awareness for the mental health charity MIND
This woman is pictured wearing nothing but a hat lying on the beach at Druridge Bay in Northumberland this morning
Participant registration fees are donated to MIND, while individuals are also invited to start up their own crowdfunding pages
Two women are pictured running stark naked into the water at Druridge Bay, Northumberland, just before the sun rose at around 7am today
A female participant is pictured wearing nothing but a hat as she celebrates the Autumn Equinox and watches the sun rise
Describing the event, organisers said: ‘It is about celebrating life and nature and our own, unique, physical bodies. It is about taking a risk and embracing a moment of pure joy and freedom.
‘And most importantly it is about coming together and supporting each other in this crazy life!
‘Registration is a pledge to MIND. Since 2012 we have collectively raised over £25,000 to strengthen the work of this incredible charity in the hope that one day we may all walk free of our struggles with mental health.’
After braving the freezing cold temperatures, the nudists were treated to a breakfast barbecue at a nearby cafe, which operates on a ‘pay-as-you-feel’ basis.
A group of friends are seen making a splash as the sun rises casting amazing reds, oranges and yellows across the sky
Participants took to social media to express their surprise at themselves, agreeing to wake up at the crack of dawn and leap into the freezing water
These women are pictured braving the icy temperatures of the North Sea, estimated to be around 15 degrees Celsius at this time of year
Organiser Jax Higginson came up with the idea for the dip after taking part in a similar event in Wales.
She told the Evening Chronicle: ‘We always have a positive response.
‘People do it one year then come back again and again. We’ve grown every year so far – people come back with a friend.’
Posting on Twitter before braving the water, Nikki Ranson said: ‘Up early and it’s dark must be nuts!!! I wonder how cold it is!! at 7am.’
Darren Read said afterwards: ‘Done the North East Skinny Dip at Druridge Bay and it was bloody freezing brrr.’
This woman wore only her swimming cap as she ran into the North Sea at Druridge Bay this morning. Here she is pictured dancing after taking the plunge
Two young women are pictured bursting into fits of laughter as they come out of the sea completely naked as the sun rises
Sunderland-based performer Penella Bee is pictured throwing fire ahead of the sunrise at today’s North East Skinny Dip
Ms Bee, of Sunderland, kicked off proceedings by performing a dramatic fire dance on the beach before participants stripped down and ran into the waves naked
Two men are pictured embracing each other with the rising sun in the background before making a splash in the water