A former Royal Marine Commando and cancer survivor will be taking a chilly dip into the sea in Exmouth next week as part of a fundraising challenge. 

Tim Crossin, 59, from Poole, will go swimming at 31 locations around England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland in January, doing one dip every day. His Exmouth swim will be on Monday, January 2 at 1pm, and anyone is welcome to join him. 

Tim has beaten three Lymphoma cancers in the last four years, and has just been diagnosed with a fourth cancer. 

He said: “As a former Royal Marine, I’d like to be running up a mountain, naked, with a fridge on my back or swimming the Channel dragging a piano or something else mad and extreme, but all the chemotherapy has severely damaged my lungs limiting my physical capability. Although I can’t swim for long I thought I could raise some money and awareness by doing short swims around the country every day in January.” 

“Cancer can, if you let it, take over your life and become the only topic of conversation. I decided to change the narrative as well as do something good and to give back. 

“The cold water takes your mind off your problems, focusing your thoughts on that exact moment. I have found it extremely beneficial in dealing with the emotional and physical challenges and demands of living with cancer. 

“It’s quite a challenge and I know there are many veterans, serving personnel, swimming groups and the general public round the country who will take the plunge with me and enjoy a hot drink and chat afterwards. The support of the communities I visit will be key to this initiative.” 

Tim is raising money for three causes: The Royal Marines Charity, Lymphoma Action and Rock 2 Recovery. He will travel around in a camper van, with the first leg of his trip starting in Poole on January 1, taking him to Devon and Cornwall, up to Bristol and Wales, and ending in Liverpool on Monday, January 9. 

In each location he will pull on his trunks and have a swim, no matter what the temperature, weather or sea state. 

For more information on the dates and locations of his swims, and to make a donation, visit his website www.colddipcommando.com