Daring thrill seekers braved the cold climate by riding a roller coaster in Southend's Adventure Island in Essex, United Kingdom without any clothes on to raise funds for Southend Hospital Charitable Foundation's Keyhole Cancer Appeal.
The participants came from many parts of the U.K. as far as Edinburgh and Swindon to ride the popular Green Scream rollercoaster ride naked. This activity was to celebrate the park's victory in the Guinness World Record when they were able to have 102 people who rode a rollercoaster naked raising more than $36,700 in 2010.
Though there were only 57 individuals who showed up for this year's event, they were able to raise around $15,339. All proceeds will be donated to Southend University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, which aims to raise around $900,000 to develop and provide a new innovative laparoscopic or keyhole surgery theatre suite at the hospital to treat patients with cancer.
"It's been an absolutely superb day with people all enjoying the chance to do something memorable, good fun and raise a large amount of money for a fantastic, local charity," Andrew Renton, Adventure Island operations director said.
They were not able to beat the record, but Renton said they are proud that they were able to offer this opportunity and at the end of the day, they still hold the world record anyway.
Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. In fact, the American Cancer Association reports that in 2015, there will be an estimated 1,658,370 people who will be diagnosed with cancer and 589,430 cancer deaths in the United States alone.
Around the globe, 8.2 million deaths from cancer were reported in 2012 by Cancer Research U.K. The most common four types of deaths worldwide are lung, liver, stomach, and bowel cancer.
Speaking in behalf of Southend Hospital Charitable Foundation, Lucy Thomas-Clayton expressed her gratitude towards the organizers of the event, the amusement park and the brave participants whose selfless act gained admiration because it takes a lot of courage to strip naked in front of other people and the media as well.
"We would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who was brave enough to bare all and raise such a huge amount of cash for our vitally important cause," she said.
