A Comber woman has raised more than £2,900 for Portaferry RNLI through an annual charity sea dip held in memory of her son.

The Dash for Dougie event took place at Strangford Lough Yacht Club on 21 June, the day before what would have been Steven Dugan’s 37th birthday. Dugan died in 2022 aged 33 after a short illness.

Kim Armstrong, Dugan’s mother, was joined by relatives and members of the Bathing Belles of Whiterock, a cold-water swimming group she swims with regularly. Her 11-year-old grandson Xander also attended.

Armstrong, who took up cold-water swimming during the lockdown, chooses a different charity for the event each year. She said the RNLI was a natural choice because of her connection to the sea.

Proceeds from the swim were handed over to the lifeboat station. Portaferry RNLI fundraising chairwoman Pat Browne said the money would be used for crew kit and training. She thanked Armstrong, the Bathing Belles, donors and the yacht club for their support.