A Royal Marines Commandos veteran is to brave the cold for charity as he plans to take the plunge in a sea swim.

Tim Crossin, dubbed the Cold Dip Commando, has survived cancer four times and will complete the swim in Hove as part of his challenge to complete 31 cold water swims in January.

The swim at Rockwater will be one of Tim’s last swims on the way to completing the challenge before he finishes in his hometown of Poole.

Tim, 59, 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.

“The cold water takes your mind off your problems, focus you 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.”

“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 Argus: Tim is set to complete 31 cold water swims in JanuaryTim is set to complete 31 cold water swims in January (Image: Cold Water Commando | The Royal Marines Charity)

Tim, who now runs a personal protection company, completed three tours in his 18 years in the Royal Marines including serving in Lebanon and the Congo.

He has also been employed as a professional bodyguard and ran the security for the England football team before the 2010 Fifa World Cup in South Africa. 

The father-of-two has beaten three lymphoma cancers in the last four years and has recently been diagnosed with a fourth in his oesophagus, liver and spleen.

Money raised from the swims will be donated to the Royal Marines Charity as well as Lymphoma Action and Rock 2 Recovery.

Tim had initially hoped to raise £10,000 from his swims but has now raised over £20,000 for the causes.

Tim will be completing his swim at Rockwater in Hove on Sunday, January 29 at 2pm. Those wishing to donate can do so on Tim’s JustGiving page.