The Background

My name is Tim Crossin and I am a former Royal Marine Commando.

In my personal and work life I have faced many challenges both emotional and physical.

Being diagnosed with cancer 4 times ( the latest Dec 2022), undergoing Chemotherapy and living with cancer for 6 years has tested me emotionally and pushed me to my mental and physical limit.

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 2 cancer I started cold water swimming and immediately noticed the positive benefits for both my mental and physical well being.

The Challenge

Wanting to give something back and help organisations who have been there for me and for others like me, I am doing a charity challenge called ‘Cold Dip Commando’, where I will take an ‘extreme cold swim’ in 31 locations around England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in the 31 days of January 2023 in a bid to raise money and awareness for three good causes the ‘Royal Marines Charity’, ‘Lymphoma Action’ and ‘Rock 2 Recovery’.

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 damaged my lungs I am no longer able to complete or partake in type of physical or endurance events I once did.

So to test myself and have a viable tough charity challenge I aim to drive around the coast of the UK, living in a camper van and have an extreme cold swims, regardless of the temperature, weather or sea conditions at 31 different locations.

I will be inviting serving and former military and 999 personnel, swimming clubs and the general public to experiencing the physical and mental benefits of cold water immersion.

After each cold water dip/swim there will be hot wets (drinks) and the opportunity to ‘spin dits’ (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. ’

Unfortunately the PET Scan in December 2022 showed the cancer had returned and was in my esophagus, liver and spleen. I will be continuing with the Cop Dip Commando Challenge as planned.

Hope to see you on the beach.

Thank you for your support.