Durham Royal Marines Commando to tackle North East cold water dips in honour of comrade

Tim Crossin and Michael Lloyd-Gent during the January 2023 cold water dip at Bamburgh
-Credit:Cold Dip Commando


A Royal Marines Commando from Durham is set to tackle two North East cold water dips next week, in honour of his comrade, who passed away after a long battle with cancer. Michael Lloyd-Gent will be doing his part to continue the incredible charity work of his friend and colleague Tim Crossin.

Before his death, former Royal Marine Commando Tim toured the coast of the UK, dipping in 31 locations in January of 2023. After he was diagnosed with terminal cancer, Tim was supported by the Royal Marines Charity, Rock 2 Recovery and Lymphoma Action, so he wanted to give something back to these organisations.

After completing this challenge, Tim aimed to do another in January of this year, however, his cancer returned in late 2024, and he passed away on December 3, 2024. Now, his friends and former colleagues, including Michael, are taking on dips in their parts of the country, to celebrate the impact the difference that Tim has made.

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Michael said: "I served alongside Tim, and he was my Corporal from the start, so we created a strong friendship and bond. Even when you move away to different places, and meet up again, there is that level of togetherness and companionship that you never lose.

Tim Crossin during one of his cold water dips in January of 2023
Tim Crossin during one of his cold water dips in January of 2023 -Credit:Cold Dip Commando

"When I found out he had cancer, I met up with him and did the Bamburgh dip with him the last time he was up here. After he passed, his family got in touch to ask me to stand up and do the challenge here in the North East, and I jumped at the chance to continue his legacy.

"Tim was the epitome of a Royal Marines Commando, and his courage, determination, unselfishness, charisms and cheerfulness in the face of adversity made him a true 'Timspiration', as we used to say."

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Now, Michael is preparing for the cold water dips, with the Bamburgh Beach dip taking place at 8.30am on Wednesday, January 22, and the South Shields dip taking place at 10am on Thursday, January 23.

Michael added: "It's an honour for me to help keep Tim's mission moving, and I would encourage anyone who is around to come along to the dips and show your support, either by watching or braving the sea yourself. There are a lot of people out there with cancer, and we want to do as much as we can for them, just as Tim was determined to do; he is the biggest inspiration to all of us."

To find out more information about the cold water dips, and their exact locations, visit the Cold Dip Commando website here, and to donate towards the fundraising campaign, visit the JustGiving page here.