Members of a Hamilton Parish school community braved the elements yesterday morning and dived into cold waters to raise funds.

Francis Patton’s School’s Longtail Plunge featured island celebrities — including Patrina “Power Girl” O’Connor-Paynter and Mr Fotogenik — to celebrate the school’s 75th anniversary.

Mr Fotogenik, who dove into North Shore, admitted the water was “ice cold”.

He said: “When I first jumped in, it had me — but I know you have got to stay in so your body warms up to it.”

The multitalented MC and social-media personality, who also goes by Shawn Simons, added that he was happy to be involved, saying: “Anything for the kids.”

The event was attended by almost 100 people, including teachers, parents and pupils.

The annual dip is used to raise funds for the school’s services.

Stephen Outerbridge, the president of Bailey’s Bay Cricket Club, said he took the plunge for the first time thanks to the legacy of the school.

To get his body ready, he said, he went for a run and “jumped straight in” to cool down.

“It was very cold,” Mr Outerbridge said, “but it was obviously for a good initiative.”

Mr Outerbridge, an alumnus himself, said the school played a valuable role in the surrounding community.

He said that his children, like many in the area, used the playground on the weekends.

Mr Outerbridge added: “That’s where most of us got our foundation from.

“That’s where we were taught right from wrong, that’s where we went to school.

“I still have a lot of friends from school that I talk to now.”

He called on people to support the school in any way they could, adding: “If we don’t support them, we see the negative effects later on.”

The event was attended by Tinée Furbert, the Minister of Youth, Social Development and Seniors, Joseph Marable, of the One Bermuda Alliance, and musician Fire Wayne — all of whom took the plunge.

Shawnette Bell, who lives in the area, said she came to support the fundraiser as the mother of an alumnus.

She said the anniversary was “a big milestone” for the school and, as a large community pillar, it deserved the recognition.

Ms Bell said: “Francis Patton is doing right by the community.

“I feel that it’s a great school with great teachers and great leaders.”

Shayla Morton, who teaches at Francis Patton and whose daughter also attends the school, said the institution was “a community school”.

She said that she saw people from all over the island in attendance, simply because their children had graduated from the school.

Ms Morton added: “It definitely shows through [their] actions that the community is here to support everything we do.

“It feels great.”

Ms Morton, who did not dive off the docks, admitted that it was a “very brisk morning” and not as warm as many hoped it would be.

However, she added that attendees were in high spirits and that the camaraderie was warm regardless of the cold.

Ms O’Connor-Paynter, who also took the plunge, said she helped raise about $300 and counting for the fundraiser.

She said that it was her first polar plunge — and potentially not her last.

She explained: “I’ve been thrown overboard by pirates, but that was in July.

“Fotogenik jumped in no problem, but it was too cold for Fire Wayne and I.

Ms O’Connor-Paynter added: “I would do it again. Anything for the children.”