While most cured their Christmas hangover by pigging out on leftovers, some people yesterday braved the bone-chilling waves crashing into the Sliema shore and succeeded in raising €13,000 for l-Istrina.

Onlookers crowded the area opposite the Plough and Anchor Pub, as 154 swimmers registered for the 13th edition of the Thomas Smith charity swim along the Sliema quay, an hour before the yearly charity event kicked off at Verdala Palace in Rabat.

One of the first to plunge into the sea was 75-year old Alfred Abela, who somersaulted into the rough sea.

Accompanying him was his 74-year old sister Carmen Borg, who brought along her daughter Angele Seifert and grandchildren Lucia, eight, and Jacque, 10.

Looking out at the roaring waves, the tiny siblings said they were scared but willing to swim if it meant helping other children.

Another young girl, nine-year old Deborah Caruana, who was one of the first to take the plunge, smiled broadly as President George Abela presented her with a medal which was given to all participants.

“I’ve never felt so cold but it is very exciting to be part of a large group of people who swim together to help people in need,” Deborah said, shivering and holding her towel tight.

There were a lot of young people among the swimmers, including Exiles water polo players Chris von Brockdorff, 12, Michael Parnis, 12, and Simon Apap, 11, who jumped into the sea together.

Although the sea temperature yesterday dropped below 18C, the three boys said they never thought twice about the challenge and hoped they would convince their friends to take part in next year’s charity swim.

Among the participants were Nationalist MPs Beppe Fenech Adami and Karl Gouder, TV presenter Pierre Portelli and head of European Commission in Malta Martin Bugelli.

Civil Protection Department officers carefully monitored the bay from the sea and land, keeping the excited participants off high-risk zones.

The charity swim started 13 years ago when Thomas Smith general manager Anton Buttigieg, now 56, was dared into swimming for charity.

Since then, the swim has taken place at the same spot between Christmas and New Year’s Day.

The charity swim seems to inspire several bids between friends. Darrel Zarb Cousin, who according to his friends “doesn’t even swim in summer”, took the plunge for €200 in aid of the l-Istrina fundraising marathon.