A raft of small businesses have supported an air ambulance charity’s topless sponsored swim event, which has so far raised £24,500 and aims to highlight inequality women face in CPR support.

The Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance event took place at Vobster Quay, Somerset, at the weekend and involved support from among others Zoggs, Little Jacks Sausage Rolls, Dags Café, Rumwell Farm Shop, Soulfired Sauna, The Holcombe, Bishops Palace Queens Hotel & Spa and Fairfields Crisps.

The aim of the Dare to Bare event was to raise awareness that women are less likely to receive life saving CPR than men. This is due to stigma around women being able to bare their chests to receive the support.

“One of the things that inspired me to do the swim was the idea that women are not getting equal CPR,” said one of the women taking part.

“It shocked me to the core! It was a really joyful event and exactly what we hoped it would be. It was just amazing to see everyone without a care in the world, what an amazing atmosphere!”

The charity’s events manager Tania Eveleigh added: “Chest access can save lives, and we wanted to create a fun, positive space to have that conversation.”

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