Skinny dip for Post appeal

NATURISTS are making a splash for the Post's £500,000 Maggie's appeal for a cancer care centre.

Water Meadows Naturist Swimming Club hopes to raise £1,000 from skinny dipping at the pool in Mansfield.

The next swim is tomorrow night. The club – part of Singles Outdoor Club – has been holding charity swims for 15 years.

Organiser David Broome, of Nottingham, lost a good friend to lung cancer and believes Maggie's is a worthwhile cause.

The 64-year-old architect is also a fan of the charity's striking buildings.

"I found out about Maggie's through an article in the architectural press. The London building looks absolutely beautiful," said David.

The club holds three spring and three autumn swims. Part of the proceeds from the entrance fee are donated to charity.

Each attracts between 120-200 people. David, who has been a naturist for more than 20 years, said: "We get the police and religious people. An engineer from the QE2 is a regular attendee.

"Naturism is a very good leveler. Without your formal attire you don't know who you are talking to."

As well as locals, the swims are attended by naturists from as far afield as Scotland and Wales. Sometimes the Young British Naturists, for 16 to 30-year-olds, and Suntreckers, a naturist caravanning and camping club, descend on the pool.

Four swims have been held to aid Maggie's, with another in November and the final event of the season in January.

The club hopes to present Maggie's with a £1,000 cheque next March.

Anyone interested in naturism is invited to the swims.

Saturday's swim is from 7-10pm. Admission is £7 adults and £1 under 18s. For further information visit http://www.soc-uk.info/swims.html.

For information about Maggie's contact Leah Jeffries on 0207 386 3518 or e-mail leah@maggiescentres.org.

Please make cheques payable to Maggie's Centres and send to Maggie's Nottingham, c/o Cancer Centre, Department of Oncology, Nottingham City Hospital, Hucknall Road, Nottingham NG5 1PB.

Tell us what you're doing for Maggie's. Contact Lynette Pinchess on 9482000 ext 2548 or e-mail lynette.pinchess@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk