STOIC swimmers braved the chilly waters of Bala Lake last weekend to help raise money for a health charity.

On Sunday, dozens of swimmers arrived at Llyn Tegid, the largest natural body of water in Wales, in aid of Diabetes UK Cymru.

The participants (pictured) swam a mile in the lake, with some of the more experienced swimmers swimming back to the start line, a gruelling round trip of two miles.

The first male swimmer to complete the one-mile swim was Brian Ward from New Brighton and the first female was Rebecca Black from Dolgellau.

The first to complete the two-mile distance was Gary Drew from Kinmel Bay, with Darren Payne from Aberystwyth a close second.

Last year more than 30 swimmers accepted the challenge, raising an impressive £5,000.

The total raised this year has not yet been calculated but organisers are hopeful of another bumper haul.