IT WAS a chilling start to 2009 for the intrepid fundraisers who braved the icy depths of Hampshire.

More than £4,000 was raised for two good causes with almost 200 swimmers taking the plunge.

At Gosport more than 150 swimmers shook off their new year hangovers with a bracing dip in The Solent.

The crowd, many in fancy dress, waited for the signal from the mayor Derek Kimber, before jumping off the slipway at Stokes Bay.

The group raised £2,000 for Gosport and Fareham Inshore Rescue Service’s (GAFIRS) lifeboat station.

Hundreds lined the pebble beach and watched as young and old splashed and shrieked in the icy waters.

Only a handful of people stayed in more than 30 seconds.

“It’s a really good get-together,” said organiser Steve Hobbs, chairman of GAFIRS. “We usually pull in around 2,000 people. Obviously a few of the participants are in fancy dress so that gives people some amusement.”

Each swimmer raised funds for their nominated charities while GAFIRS said it expects to net around £2,000 in donations and sponsorship from the day.

Meanwhile around 30 people ran shivering into the river at Hamble raising more than £2,000 for CLIC Sargent.

Hundreds turned out to cheer on the daredevils and there were goody bags on offer and a raffle.

Sponsored by the Driftwood Thai Restaurant and BP the event was hailed as a great success by organiser Emma Hindley, of children’s cancer charity CLIC Sargent.

She said: “The water was freezing but it was worth it, the day was amazing. We will be back in force next year.”