WATCH: Braving the North Sea in honour of Scarborough’s Thalia-Beau Wright

Thalia’s mum Ellie Wright, grandma Christine Johnson and cousin Charlotte Haythorne took a dip in the North Sea on New Year’s Eve to raise funds in memory of the much-loved little girl who died in August.

“It was an emotional day and very poignant,” said Charlotte.

“We started 2020 by doing the Lion’s dip on New Year's Day on the South Bay in aid of organ donation awareness,

“We decided as a family we wanted to end 2020 doing the dip for Thalia. The North Bay beach was her most favourite place on earth so it seemed only right to do it there.”

Five-year-old Thalia, who had restrictive cardiomyopathy and was awaiting a heart and lung transplant, captured hearts across Scarborough and beyond with her beaming smile and generous spirit.

In November, her family launched the Thalia-Beau Foundation to raise money to help other families caring for very ill children.

Funds will also go to children’s hospice Martin House where Thalia spent her final days.

The Foundation has already donated bundles of care packages to hospitals including in Scarborough and Leeds.

The family hoped to raise £500 for the foundation with the sponsored New Year’s Eve dip but have already surpassed that, collecting more than £900 so far.

“Our precious girl once said the immortal words of Elsa ‘the cold never bothered me anyway’ and to us on this day, that was certainly true,” said Charlotte.

“It was absolutely freezing of course but we felt Thalia’s spirit swimming alongside us and that gave us more warmth than you can ever imagine.

“We thought that £500 would be ambitious, but once again, the generosity of all our lovely friends, family and followers that have become friends never ceases to amaze us.

“To say that we had only planned it in a matter of days before the event itself, we are blown away by the support.

“This money means we can start to put plans in motion for 2021 and find new ways to support children and families who find themselves in the same position as our family."

She added thanks to Dexter's Surf Shop who provided wetsuits for the three women for the dip.

To donate to the fund, visit https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/thettbfnyedip.