A FORMER Royal Marine and three-time cancer survivor from Poole is set to take on a series cold-water plunges – and wants you to join him.

Tim Crossin is completing an initiative along the UK coastline to raise funds for The Royal Marines Charity, cancer charity Lymphoma Action and veterans’ mental health organisation Rock2Recovery.

The 59-year-old former Royal Marines Corporal has beaten three lymphoma cancers in the last four years, but had his hopes of remission devastated this December when he was told that his stem cell transplant had not been successful, with further cancers diagnosed.

Despite this debilitating news, Tim is pressing ahead with his fundraising campaign which will see him circumnavigate the UK coastline solo and take a cold-water dip at 31 locations – one a day – throughout England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland, starting and finishing in Poole.

Bournemouth Echo: Poole man and former Royal Marine Tim CrossinPoole man and former Royal Marine Tim Crossin (Image: Tim Crossin)

Tim would like members of the communities he’s visiting to join him in the sea, river, lake or loch.

He has has already amassed a loyal following, with some locations expecting 50 to 100 supporters.

Ahead of the challenge, father of two and grandfather of five 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.

Bournemouth Echo: Tim Crossin will have plenty of supporters behind him during his cold dip fundraiserTim Crossin will have plenty of supporters behind him during his cold dip fundraiser (Image: Tim Crossin)

“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.

“I am looking forward to meeting members of the public and swimming groups, veterans and serving Armed Forces personnel 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 will start his challenge at Branksome beach on January 1 at 12.00pm, and finish at the same place on January 31.

Visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/colddipcommando to donate.