On the 1st of October, just South of Wicklow Town at 12.00 is the 9th annual Strip and Dip. The Strip and Dip started nine years ago after Deirdre Featherstone was undergoing treatment for breast cancer and had a brainwave after her mastectomy to do something fun – and raise money for childhood cancer.
The event itself has grown from 80 women in Year 1, to 2,500 women in Year 6 – a huge achievement. The event has also achieved status twice in the Guinness Book of World Records (2018 and 2021 for The Online Dip Challenge) as well as raising over €500,000 in 2018.
The fund-raising has now hit over €925,000 as of the end of August 2022 – a huge achievement in itself and so now Dee and her crew are going for the MILLION!
Founder and organiser, Dee Featherstone said: “There are a lot of women undertaking this who have been through cancer and of course lots of people who have been affected by it. With laughter, scars, dodgy boobs, or in a lot of cases only one or none, we would like to send a clear message that there is life after cancer and also raising awareness of how important it is for ladies to get checked. It’s a magical day for all involved and a closed format. Remember, only ladies allowed! “
Over 650 are already registered to Strip and Dip this year now for the 9th time being organised via Deirdre’s blog www.kickingtheshiteoutofcancer.com and again this year she is raising much-needed funds for Aoibheann’s Pink Tie – Ireland’s National Children’s Cancer Charity – with over €1,000,000 expected to be raised for www.aoibheannspinktie.ie. Donations would be greatly appreciated and can be made on www.idonate.ie/stripanddip