400 people swim nude to raise money for charity in England

Hundreds of people attended an early morning nude swim in the North Sea, England, to raise money for charity.

Early on the morning of September 24, more than 400 people gathered on Druridge Bay beach, about 300 miles north of Newcastle. They held hands and watched the sun rise from the sea, reflecting the sky in red, orange and yellow, according to Mirror.

Artist Penella Bee kicked off the event with a fire dance, before the crowd jumped into the sea in their underwear. After a dip in the icy water, they had a barbecue for breakfast at a nearby cafe.

Participants had previously registered and paid a $16 fee, which will be donated to the mental health charity Mind.

The event's founder and organizer, Jax Higginson, came up with the idea while attending a similar event in Wales. She had struggled with alcoholism and mental illness for many years.

“I have cognitive impairment, which means that for me, doing simple everyday tasks is harder than for someone with an intact, fully functional brain,” she said.

Hundreds of people plunged into the cold sea water early in the morning as a form of spiritual therapy. Photo: Mirror.

"I have trouble controlling my mood, solving problems, remembering and concentrating. When I strip naked, the wonderful feeling of the cool, pure, clean water covering every cell of my body makes me feel more relaxed. I want to share this natural form of healing with everyone."

“So in 2012, I started this festival. It helps to release the body, immerses us in nature, enveloped in joy, happiness and liberation.”

"I chose this way to raise funds for Mind, in the hope of helping to raise awareness of the mental health crisis in society today, as well as the importance of understanding and compassion."

According to VNE