There may be a seven-decade age gap between them, but Julia Testa, 4, and Wilfred Pirotta, 78, will both be embarking on the same challenge: plunging in the winter sea in aid of charity.

On Sunday morning, young and old will be making their way to the pier across from The Plough and Anchor pub in Sliema to take part in the annual Thomas Smith Charity Swim.

Julia, from St Julian’s, will be the youngest participant this year. It is the third year running she is taking part and is quite looking forward to it.

“I will jump in the sea, and if it’s cold I will get out quickly, or else I get a brain freeze,” she said, chattering her teeth to show how cold it can get.

However, there is no doubt she loves it and her mother said all the family were still swimming until three weeks ago.

“Julia’s a water baby and so is her sister Eva,” she said.

Eva – who is only eight months old – is too young to take part this year, but she will “definitely” do so next year.

Julia only worries about jellyfish. “I hope there won’t be any this year... I’m scared they will bite my patata [bottom]”.

On the other hand, Mr Pirotta, from Sliema, so far holds the torch for the oldest participant in the charity swim. As a champion of underwater fishing who has represented Malta in several competitions, he is a man of the sea and swims regularly, even in wintertime.

“Unless I’m on holiday I always make it a point to participate in this charity swim.

I hope there won’t be any jellyfish this year... I’m scared they will bite my patata

“We’re a group of friends and we always meet and do it together,” Mr Pirotta said.

He said a swim on a winter morning was “bearable” and encouraged people of all ages to take the plunge. My mantra is: “Il-baħar itik is-saħħa” [The sea is good for your well-being].

The Thomas Smith Charity Swim started with a bet 16 years ago when the general manager Anton Buttigieg was challenged to take a dip in the chilly December sea.

“Everyone in the pub chipped in Lm2 [€4.65] and the pub owner doubled the amount collected,” Mr Buttiġieġ said.

He braved the biting cold, jumped in the unwelcoming 16˚C grey choppy sea and won the bet. The money was donated to charity. From then on it became an annual event and over the years swimmers braved various weather conditions – but it was never cancelled. Last year’s swim saw a record-breaking 299 swimmers taking the plunge and a total of €13,000 was collected for the Malta Community Chest Fund.

Registration starts at 9.30am, and participants are being encouraged to get friends to help them raise €50 each. Then it is stripping-off time and everyone will take the plunge at 10.30am, when President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca fires the starter pistol.

How to take the charity plunge

• Get a participation form by calling 2205 8058 or e-mailing charityswim@tcsmith.com or following the Thomas Smith Christmas Charity Swim Facebook page. Then beg your friends to sponsor you.

• On Sunday, wake up, jump out of bed and do not think about the cosy quilt you are leaving behind.

• Drive to Sliema, register, strip at the very last minute: chin up, it will soon be over.

• On the word “Go!” do not hesitate, just jump in the sea.

• When in the water, allow your body to stabilise.

• Swim like mad to the designated target: about 50 metres from the shore.

• Back on land, dry yourself up and put on warm clothes.

• Sip a tot of whisky. [Not you, Julia!]

• Pick your Thomas Smith Charity Swim commemorative medal.

• Go home, tired but happy.

Donations can be made via bank transfer:
HSBC Bank (Malta) plc, 32, Merchants Street, Valletta
Account number 033-080037-002, Swift code MMEBMTMT
Iban number: T04MMEB44336000000033080037002