🌊 The Les ‘Biggles’ Bowden Memorial Dip 2025 🌊

Every year, as part of the Blam Blam Fever Ska Weekend in Redcar, our slightly mad but big-hearted crew — the Aycliffe Skankin Crew (and Friends) — take part in a tradition that’s as chilly as it is meaningful: a dip in the North Sea for charity.

This year, as in years past, our plunge carried a deeply personal meaning. We dived in with love and remembrance for our dear friend and ASC founding member, Les ‘Biggles’ Bowden. ❤️

Les was a passionate supporter of #teamMISSEDABEAT, a charity dedicated to providing life-saving defibrillators and bleed control kits. His generosity, humour, and unshakable belief in doing good continue to inspire us every day.

We set out with a fundraising target of £1,000… but thanks to your incredible support, we smashed it and raised £1,597! 🎉 Our hope is to redirect these funds towards the installation of a community defibrillator in Redcar – a lasting tribute to Les.

freezing waves to fancy dress mayhem

And what a dip it was! From freezing waves to fancy dress mayhem (some outfits outrageous, others questionable 🤭), the spirit of the day was pure Les. The biggest laugh of all? The dissolvable shorts prank… classic Les, still finding ways to get the last laugh more than a year on. 💦😂

❤️ Ste, LES and John ❤️

🙏 Special thanks go to Jackie and Helen at the Gypsy Rover for running their collection, Linda Forrest for going full ‘Super Gran’ mode to boost donations, and Carl Milburn, who not only supported the fundraising from the start but has also joined #TeamMissedABeat and already secured a place in the 2026 Great North Run – truly amazing support from amazing people!

#teammissedabeat

To everyone who braved the sea, cheered us on, donated, or just came along for the fun – thank you. Your support means the world. Les may be gone, but his spirit – and sense of humour – live on stronger than ever.

💙 From all of us at the ASC – thank you for making this year’s dip such a memorable tribute.#OneLoveOneLes #DipForLes #BlamBlamFever #AycliffeSkankinCrew #MissedABeat #NorthSeaDip #CharityChallenge #FancyDressFun #TeamMissedABeat #GreatNorthRun #CommunitySpirit #LifeSaving #RememberingLes

👉 Any last-minute donations are still welcome: missedabeat.enthuse.com/pf/dip4les