PICTURES: Littlehampton Leap raises thousands for charity

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The jumpers.ks170107-2 SUS-170227-150103001 — ks170107-2 Litt Arun Jump phot kate The jumpers.ks170107-2 SUS-170227-150103001

The Nintendo characters were among dozens of residents who dressed up to take part in the Littlehampton Leap on Sunday.

Organised by the Arun Divers group, the leap saw 24 entrants jump off Littlehampton Swing Bridge.

Hundreds of residents watched the event, which raised more than £2,300 for charity.

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Terry Monnery prepares to make a splash.ks170107-15 SUS-170227-145952001 — ks170107-15 Litt Arun Jump phot kate Terry Monnery prepares to make a splash.ks170107-15 SUS-170227-145952001

Gary Moore is chairman of the Arun Divers, and has been taking part in the leap since he joined in 1995.

He said: “It went very well. I was very pleased with the turnout and the weather held off which was brilliant.”

This year, the 67-year-old from Felpham wore an apron to do the 30ft jump, which he said made him feel ‘a bit nervous’.

“It makes you feel nervous because you know you are going to feel cold, and the drop as well.”

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Terry Monnery ,.ks170107-16 SUS-170227-150006001 — ks170107-16 Litt Arun Jump phot kate Terry Monnery ,.ks170107-16 SUS-170227-150006001

But Gary’s costume was by no means the most adventurous.

Sam Leaman and Alex Wilkinson, who Gary said are chefs at The Arun View Inn pub near the bridge, dressed as Mario and Luigi, and Charlotte Quinney and Rik Prowen went as Rose and Jack from the film Titanic.

This year’s event raised money for Enable Me, a Littlehampton-based disability awareness charity, and CancerWise, a cancer support charity in Chichester.

The event was started in 1982, after the Penlee lifeboat disaster in Cornwall which claimed the lives of 16 crew members.

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At the time, there were members of the Arun Divers who were in the Littlehampton lifeboat crew and wanted to raise money for the families of their Cornish counterparts.

Gary also wanted to thank Tyndall Jones for raising £180 on the day, and Littlehampton Marina for supporting the event.

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