Ex-Royal Marine Tim planning to take the plunge at John O'Groats
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A former Royal Marine who has been diagnosed with cancer four times is due in John O'Groats today for what promises to be a very chilly dip in the sea.
Tim Crossin (59), from Poole in Dorset, is taking a series of 31 cold-water plunges around the UK coast to raise money for three good causes. He hopes to reach Caithness this afternoon for the most northerly dip on his 2800-mile route.
He says cold water "takes your mind off your problems" and is encouraging other intrepid swimmers to join him.
Tim set himself a target of £10,000 in aid of the Royal Marines Charity, Lymphoma Action and Rock 2 Recovery but has already raised more than £16,000.
He is travelling by campervan around England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland, starting and finishing in Poole. He insists he will pull on his trunks and have a swim, no matter what the temperature, weather or sea state.
Tim was diagnosed with cancer for a fourth time in December 2022.
He has backing from former Royal Marine commando, Special Forces operator and TV personality Steve "Titch" Cormack, from the BBC TV The Speedshop, along with other TV and sporting celebrities.
Tim, who provides personal protection, security and survival training through his company Esparta Ltd, 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 – you focus 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 but I know there are many veterans, serving personnel, swimming groups and members of the public around 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.”
Donations can be made online through JustGiving.
Tim served in the Royal Marines for 18 years, completing three tours of duty in Northern Ireland as well as serving in Lebanon and the Congo. After his service he was employed as a professional bodyguard working in war zones.
He survived many dangers, including being blown up in his vehicle while on personal protection duties.
Tim trained and ran security teams for anti-piracy duties in the Indian Ocean.
He is a father of two and grandfather of five.
Tim has had three lymphoma cancers in the past four years and was recently diagnosed with a fourth cancer in his oesophagus, liver and spleen.
He was in Skye on Monday and was still aiming to get to John O’Groats for this afternoon's scheduled dip, despite the difficult road conditions caused by this week's heavy snow across the north of Scotland.
