Boxing Day dippers are urged to support this year’s fundraiser as the annual event is taken over by new organisers.

Deal Icebreakers, led by Margaret Edwards, has raised more than £100,000 for good causes since 1981.

But earlier this year it was announced that she and her team are calling it a day and will work alongside new organisers the Rotary Club of Deal before they take the reigns alone in 2019.

Rotary president Marlene Burnham said: “We would like this to become our club’s signature event.

“Sandwich has its duck race and Folkstone has its half-marathon. Deal has had nothing (by the Rotary Club) all these years so this will be our signature event.”

Registration is now open and this year’s chosen charity is Digby’s Smile, paying for specialist equipment for toddler Digby Donnelly, of Middle Deal Road, who has a progressive and fatal muscle-wasting condition, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

The disease almost exclusively affects boys due to a faulty dystrophin gene which causes muscles to break down, leading to paralysis and consequently a lifespan of about 20 years.

Two, so far unchosen charities, will also benefit from the sponsorship.

Cllr Burnham -Deal’s deputy mayor - said: “Supporting Digby was a suggestion by Margaret Edwards at one of our meetings and having previously supported youngsters Theo Knott and Ellice Barr, we thought it was only right that we help out this little chap. Helping local causes is what we do.

“We’re inviting members of the public to continue their efforts entering into the dip and perhaps the more the merrier, as it’s Christmas.”

Digby’s mum Lisa Donnelly said: “To have been picked to receive support from the success of the Boxing Day Dip is thrilling and is yet another example of what amazing people we have here in Deal. “The continued love and care for Digby is so kind and generous and we are thankful to everyone.

“We are still in the early days of fundraising and our main aim at the minute is simply to get funds saved for that time, that will come, when Digby needs something to help him or enhance his quality of life. We will then be in a position to get this for him without a wait whilst we save up or sit indefinitely on waiting lists.

“We have just been given a list of some specialist equipment relating to his development that he may benefit from at his current stage and these are also things we are hoping to get.”

Entry is £5 online and closes on Sunday, December 16. Dippers can enter on the day for £10 at 10am ahead of the dip at 11am at the north side of Deal Pier.

Visit dealicebreakers.co.uk or call 01304 372876.