500+ men take the plunge in Skerries for men’s cancer care at the Mater Hospital

In a show of solidarity, more than 500 men ran into the chilly November waters in Skerries wearing nothing but a dickie bow on Saturday (7th) marking the biggest turnout in the Dickie Dip’s history.

They took the plunge not only to raise vital funds for men’s cancer care in the Mater Hospital but to highlight the national statistic that one in seven men in Ireland will get a prostate cancer diagnosis at some point in their lifetime.

A statistic that brings home just how many families, friendships and communities are touched by the disease.

This year’s event held extra meaning as Dippers were honouring one of their own.

Skerries native, Matt Davis sadly passed away in April of this year, at the age of 49 from prostate cancer.

He leaves behind his wife Suzanne, three children, and a loving family.

Matt’s brother, Sean Davis shared, “Matt had prostate cancer, so this is something that’s very close to us as a family.

If being involved in the Dickie Dip gets even a few more men talking about prostate cancer, being aware of their health and not putting things off, that’s really important to us.”

As more men in Ireland are diagnosed with prostate cancer, driven in part by our growing and ageing population, the need for specialist cancer care and support continues to rise.

Funds raised through Dickie Dip help the Mater meet this growing need, supporting better care and outcomes for patients while empowering men to talk openly about their health and seek help when something isn’t right.

Since the first Dickie Dip in 2019, participants have raised over €750,000 for men’s cancer care at the Mater Hospital.

Funds raised support diagnostic and surgical equipment, education, innovation and research, helping the hospital care for patients and their families.

Support men’s cancer care in the mater Hospital by donating today at www.materfoundation.ie/dipdonate