On New Year's Day a group of mental health campaigners will brave the winter weather as they walk a mile around Lisburn City Centre in a mankini.
A group of volunteers from across Northern Ireland will join mental health charity Stand To as they take part in the Mankini Mile this Saturday, January 1.
This is in an effort to raise funds for three important local charities, PIPS, the Northern Ireland Air Ambulance and the Children's Cancer Unit Charity.
One of the organisers, David Topping, told Belfast Live that since announcing the event they have had an "amazing response" with dozens of people agreeing to take part in the event.
He explained that Stand To has been able to expand its work, growing from 17 volunteers to 22 in recent weeks.
David said: "Since we announced that we would be doing the Mankini Mile on New Year's Day we have had an amazing response from people.
"We currently have 35 registered to take part on the day and many more who have said they will be coming down. Monkstown Spartans Athletics Club have even agreed to join us dressed in full gladiator gear.
"We have had people contact us from all over Northern Ireland looking to take part and there has even been a group in Sheffield who would like us to come over and join them in doing the same thing. It is great to see that the message is getting out there.
"We are hoping to reach our fundraising target for the local charities and are sure that we can do it. We would also like to invite people to come down on Saturday morning and join us!"
David said the charity has recently received a grant from Moy Park which is allowing them to provide CPR and life-saving skills courses for young people.
Stand To was launched in March of this year on World Mental Health Day in response to concerns regarding the mental health of young people and a rise in suicides.
It was originally based in Rathfriland but has since expanded across Northern Ireland.
The Mankini Mile will take place on New Year's Day at Wallace Park, Lisburn from 11.30am and will be open to anyone who wishes to take part.
If you would like to donate to the campaign or would like more information please follow this link.
For the latest breaking news straight to your inbox, sign up for our newsletter here.
