Former Royal Marine from Poole begins charity challenge

Tim Crossin is setting out on a road trip around the UK coastline, stopping in a different location each day to swim in the sea, river, lake or a loch on each day through January.

The Cold Dip Commando challenge is raising money for The Royal Marines Charity, Lymphoma Action and Rock2Recovery.

He came up with the idea when sat on Branksome beach, and he hopes to change the narrative around living with cancer. He was joined for his first dip on New Year's Day by former marines who he served with, family and friends from a swimming group named ‘Win the Morning, Win the Day’.

He said the support for the first swim of the challenge has been humbling.

“I didn’t expect to see so many people down here. Really humbled and very thankful for everyone turning up,” Tim said.

John Twiss served with Tim in the Marines, and came down to support him as he set out.

“I have empathy with him because I had cancer last year,” he said.

“I think it’s going to be a very difficult one for him, but knowing him he’ll do it, travelling round the UK, every 24 hours dipping like this, with the travel in between. He’s a very strong-willed man, he’s down here every day and I think he’ll do very well.”

Eliza, from Tim’s swimming group said she hasn’t known Tim for that long, but that the challenge was an inspiration.

“I think it’s incredible. I think the challenge is very admirable, I couldn’t hack it,” she said.

Tim now sets off in a camper van to circumnavigate the nation, before returning for the final swim on January 31, back on Branksome beach. He is hoping to see as many people joining him to swim around the country.

“It started off just me, in a camper van, driving round on a solo trip, then it started to snowball and now we are where we are,” he said.

“Hopefully everybody gets in, gets wet, enjoys themselves and lets raise a lot of money for charity.”

To find out more about the challenge and to donate, visit: https://www.colddipcommando.com/