MORE than 80 scuba divers dressed as Santa Claus took part in an annual fundraiser in Chepstow on Sunday
Divers from all over the UK donned Santa outfits at the National Diving and Activity Centre at Tidenham Quarry before attempting to break the world record for the biggest underwater dive dressed as Santa.
The event, which is in its fifth year, has helped raise a total of £20,000 to pay for crew training at the RNLI.
Eighty-one divers stayed underwater for around 24 minutes.
Despite failing to break the record, which stands at 158 scuba Santas, it is estimated they raised £4,000 for the RNLI.
Amateur diver Ray Phillips, of Lower Hill Street, Blaenavon, was taking part for the second time.
The 45 year-old security manager was raising cash for the RNLI and Blood Bikes Wales, a new organisation set up to courier blood to NHS Hospitals free of charge needed for blood transfusions out-of-hours.
He said: “The water was much warmer than it was at last year’s event.
Despite not breaking the record I’m pleased to be raising funds for good causes,” he added.
