A former Royal Marine Commando has braved the freezing water in Liverpool in a “cold-dip” challenge.
Tim Crossin, originally from Dorset, is travelling along the UK coastline in his campervan throughout January taking a cold dip each day to raise money for charities. Tim was inspired to undergo the challenge after he was diagnosed with cancer four times - the latest being in December, when a PET scan showed Tim’s cancer had returned and was in his esophagus, liver and spleen.
He said: “In my personal and work life I have faced many challenges both emotional and physical. Being diagnosed with cancer four times, undergoing chemotherapy and living with cancer for six years has tested me emotionally and pushed me to my mental and physical limit.
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"I am lucky as I have had support from my girlfriend, my family and friends and the family of the Royal Marines through it all. After the second cancer, I started cold water swimming and immediately noticed the positive benefits for both my mental and physical well-being.
The 59-year-old explained how he “wanted to give something back” and help the organisations who have been there for him - what he came up with was the “cold dip commando” charity challenge. Tim has been and will be taking an “extreme cold swim” in 31 locations around the UK throughout the month of January. The money raised from the challenge will go between the Royal Marines Charity, Lymphoma Action and Rock 2 Recovery.
He added: “Before cancer and the chemotherapy, I would have run up a mountain with a fridge strapped to my back or swam the channel dragging a piano but unfortunately the excessive chemotherapy treatment has done irreversible damage to my lungs and I am no longer able to complete or partake in the type of physical or endurance events I once did.”
Today, Monday, January 9, Tim, from Poole, completed another location as he - alongside others - submerged themselves in the water at the Princes Dock. After the cold swim was complete, the group enjoyed some hot drinks and the opportunity to talk “with old comrades and new friends with a view to reducing the stigma that surrounds cancer and mental health and well-being particularly with serving and former military personnel”.
So far, Tim has raised just under £8,500 out of the goal of £10,000.
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