MORE than £2,600 was raised last week when an Oswestry financial advisor spent six hours of his Saturday off by getting dunked in water in a business suit.

Matthew Hignett works across Shropshire, Cheshire and North Wales in his role and spent August 31 sat on a dunking stool inviting passers-by and market customers the chance to hit the target and dunk him.

It was all in aid Hope House and Ty Gobaith children’s hospices and wearing full work suit, shirt, tie and shoes, he was dunked a total of 80 times.

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The 37-year-old dad set up a water tank at the town’s Bailey Head, where friends, family and passersby threw balls at a target to get him dunked.

He admitted the experience was tougher than expected.

“It was hard, and didn’t get any better,” he said.

“I thought I’d get used to the cold water, but it was a shock every time, until around 2.30pm when I must have gone numb.

“I was dunked 80 times! It was quite a cold and windy day so sitting and waiting to be dunked was even colder than being in the water.

“Passersby, friends, clients and supporters paid £2 for three goes to hit the dunking target, or £10 to keep going for a guaranteed dunk.

“Although, in the end, I was letting all the children dunk me.”

Matt’s daughters Anaiya and Soraia were among those queueing up to dunk him.

“Anaiya was a bit worried at first, but Soraia was more than happy to see me go under,” he added.

Matthew Hignett with his daughters Anaiya and Soraia who played their part in dunking dad. Matthew Hignett with his daughters Anaiya and Soraia who played their part in dunking dad. (Image: Matthew Hignett.)

“Some kind clients were happy just to sponsor instead of dunking me.

“My back and hips were hurting a lot. The people who I hired the dunk tank from, said that in 10 years they’d never known anyone be dunked for more than 30 minutes. They were shocked that I managed the full six hours.

“I wore my suit to work on the Friday, then spent Saturday being dunked in it. It’s now dry and ready to wear again.

My shirt wasn’t so lucky as the colours ran, but my suit, tie and even shoes are all ok.”

Matt thanked market traders who were incredibly supportive on the day.

He said: “Thank you to everyone at Oswestry Market who accommodated me and even donated. Between them traders raised £135.

“Markets and events officer David Clough was brilliant in helping to set up the event, and even agreed to be dunked three times himself.”

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Area fundraiser Vicky Bradbeer thanked Matt for his unusual fundraiser.

She said: “Thank you so much to him for organising and braving this very public dunking. We hope that he and his suit are now fully recovered from the ordeal.”

There’s still time to sponsor Matt’s dunk tank challenge at www.hopehouse.org.uk/matt-dunk