Men of Ireland – get nippy this November for men’s cancer care!

Radio Nova’s Morning Glory presenters PJ Gallagher and Jim McCabe are once again braving the waves in Skerries on 8th November for The Dickie Dip, and they are rallying the troops to join them to take part and support men on their cancer journey in the Mater Hospital.

On doing the 2025 Dickie Dip, Radio Nova’s PJ Gallagher says, “Last year Jim and I thought we’d freeze to death – turns out we just froze a few important parts! But honestly, if a few minutes in the Irish Sea can help raise awareness and funds for men’s cancer care, then we’ll happily strip off and dive back in. It’s cold, it’s mad, it’s a laugh – and it could save lives. That’s a pretty good trade, if you ask me.”

“There aren’t many occasions where you can say standing starkers on a beach with a bow tie is doing good for mankind – but this is one of them. “The Dickie Dip is about more than just the craic (though Lord knows there’s an awful lot of craic on show!) it’s about looking out for each other and making sure men get the care they need. We’ll be there, goosebumps and all, and we want as many lads as possible to join us,” PJ’s Morning Glory co-host Jim McCabe says of doing the Dip again.

The Dickie Dip, now in its 6th year, is an annual all-male skinny dip fundraiser that’s chilly for a great cause and truly heartwarming!  PJ and Jim took a splash in the Irish Sea’s winter waters last year for the very first time and are back for more chills on 8th November! Will you join their brave band of brothers, leave your briefs on the shore and take a dip in nothing but a smile and a dickie bow.

Be united on the beach, be fearless in the water…be a Dickie Dipper for men’s cancer care. Since the inaugural event in 2019, The Dickie Dip participants have stood together with their fellow men and raised a phenomenal €600,000 to provide essential supports and services for men’s cancer patients who need it most in the hospital.

Last year’s event raised an impressive €186k for men’s cancer care and the Mater Hospital Foundation is hoping to smash that at this year’s event, with the help of the biggest group yet of determined dippers striding into the surf in Skerries on Saturday, 8th November.

It couldn’t be easier to take part. Simply visit www.materfoundation.ie/dickiedip  and fill out the short registration form. Every dipper who signs up will receive a free dickie bow and a personalised Eventmaster fundraising page, which they can share with family, friends, colleagues and neighbours.

Participants will also be invited to join the 2025 Dickie Dip Facebook Group, where you can meet with fellow Dickie Dip participants and learn more about this exhilarating and impactful event.

Mater patient and Dipper Ronnie says, “Last October I got a diagnosis of prostate cancer. It was obviously a difficult time dealing with that news and I felt I had no other choice but to try to turn a negative situation into a positive one. Then along came the Dickie Dip. The perfect opportunity to give something back to all the staff who looked after me.”

He adds, “I had the honour of meeting over 400 likeminded gents on that chilly damp Saturday morning, we sang, danced, and drank copious amounts of coffee. We disrobed on the Skerries beach, and we all charged like crazed warriors heading into battle which turned out to be the icy cold Irish Sea. It was exhilarating, it was fun, it was a life affirming experience, it was membership into a brotherhood who can proudly call themselves Dippers…and it was absolutely Baltic! I can’t wait to do it again.”

Mary Moorhead, Chief Executive of the Mater Hospital Foundation says, “PJ and Jim first braved the chilly waters in 2024 for men’s cancer care, and we are ecstatic that they are back to join us for this year’s event! This year, we’re going even bigger and better and aiming for the largest ever group of brave men from all over Ireland dipping in support of men’s cancer care in the Mater Hospital.”

She says, “Every year, we are inspired by the fearlessness and commitment of our Dickie Dip participants, many of whom have been impacted directly by cancer – either through a diagnosis themselves, or by that of a loved one. Many others come simply to stand in solidarity with their fellow men and raise funds to support those facing that difficult journey. Thank you to PJ, Jim and each and every dipper who joins us or donates to support this important cause. We can’t forget to thank our amazing Dickie Dip Committee and our friends in Fingal County Council and Skerries Sailing Club for their support every year.”