Offaly team to take on Dip in the Nip

A Tullamore business woman is baring all for charity on Sunday fortnight with a naked dash into the sea. Louise Dunne of Lulu Belles already has a team of eight - dubbed "Lulu's Belles" - roped in to take part in "Dip in the Nip 2012" to raise money for cancer services, but she's hoping to be joined by many more for the early morning dip at a Meath beach on June 24. "So many people have been touched by cancer one way or the other," Louise said this week. A Killeigh resident since marrying Greg Dunne of Offaly Cattle Exporters four years ago, Arklow native Louise will be thinking of two relatives recently diagnosed with cancer along with her dad Billy Scallan who died as a result of stomach cancer when she runs into the sea. "My dad died six years ago," Louise said. "I've been waiting patiently to get involved with something and when I heard of "Dip in the Nip" I knew that this was the one." Louise and her team are hoping to raise €5,000 from their naked frolic. They are looking for direct support from youth centres, as Louise's colleague Mairead is involved with St Mary's Youth Centre, as well as cattle marts that both Louise's husband and her late father would have been familiar faces at. "Dad was so well known at all the marts in Ireland; he was a big cattle dealer," Louise explained. "I've waited patiently before asking them all to dig deep in his name." The "Dip in the Nip" began in Sligo in 2009. This year beaches in Cork, Clare and Meath will also host events. Each event is organised in partnership with a local cancer charity, with half the money going to it and half funding items such as scalp coolers, which prevent hair loss in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Louise, who said she's a larger lady, said she has no real nerves about her first dip. "I reckon the other women around will be so caught up in their own bodies they won't be looking at us," she said. Anyone interested in joining Lulu's Belles for the daring fundraiser should register at dipinthenip.eu before contacting Louise regarding travel arrangements on the day. Anyone looking to sponsor the gang can call into Lulu Belles on Henry Street in Tullamore or St Mary's Youth Centre on Harbour Street.