Alfred Abela and Wilfred Pirotta, both 78, braved the chill yesterday and joined a group of 252 people for a charity swim that raised €12,000.

The 16th edition of the Thomas Smith Charity Swim was held in aid of the Malta Community Chest Fund and the annual charity marathon L-Istrina that collected over €3.6 million on Boxing Day. The swimmers, many wearing Father Christmas hats, jumped in the sea from the pier close to Independence Gardens, in Sliema.

Many screeched on entering the cold water but determination and team spirit pushed them on to swim the distance of about 100 metres until they reached a buoy and turned back to shore some 10 minutes later.

The participants, of various ages, included 50 females. The youngest was four-year-old Julia Testa Bickle and Mr Abela and Mr Pirotta were the eldest.

Held every year since 1999, under the patronage of the President of the Republic, this was the first Thomas Smith Charity Swim to be held under the patronage of President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca.

In a brief address to the swimmers before they jumped into the cold sea, Ms Coleiro Preca thanked everyone for their support for the Malta Community Chest Fund that helped many people in need.

She presented medals to all participants at the end.