HUNDREDS of brave Hampshire swimmers are set to take to the water to raise cash for good causes.

A final call for entries for a chilly New Year’s Day swim in the Solent has been issued by Gosport & Fareham Inshore Rescue Service (GAFIRS).

Hundreds of people will take the plunge for charity at noon on New Year’s Day.

James Baggott, the charity’s fundraising officer said: “Every year hundreds of people line Stokes Bay to watch the swimmers take a rather bracing dip in The Solent.

“Many of them raise money for charity and we’d like to honour those that raise money for us.

“As an independent lifeboat station, we do not receive any funding from the RNLI, so events like our New Year’s Day swim are vital in keeping us afloat all year to save lives in the local waters.”

Keith Thomas, GAFIRS chairman added: “The New Year’s Day swim is a great way for the local community to support the work our volunteers do to keep The Solent and surrounding waters safe.”

Registration for the event will start at 11am and all swimmers should arrive before 11.45am at the latest.

Alongside the swim, the Gosport lifeboat, the Joan Dora Fuller, will also launch and carry out a training exercise with the HM Coastguard 104 Rescue Helicopter, based at Daedalus airfield in Lee-on-the-Solent.

Hot drinks and food in exchange for a donation will be provided by the Fighting Cocks pub, where swimmers can also use the changing facilities.

The swim will take place at GAFIRS Lifeboat Station, Lifeboat Lane, Stokes Bay, Gosport.

Swimmers who would like to brave the cold water should log on to the independent lifeboat station’s website – gafirs.org.uk/new-years-swim – and fill the registration form out to ensure they get a place to take part.

Participants will also receive a certificate on the day for taking part.