‘He epitomised the commando spirit’ - Hundreds take on Exmouth sea dip in memory of colleague

  • Watch Bob Cruwys' report here.

Hundreds of former marines and service veterans honoured a colleague by taking part in a cold water dip in Exmouth.

Ex-40 commander marine Tim Crossin aimed to brave over 30 cold water dips around the British coastline in his "Cold Dip Commando" challenge, but sadly passed away from cancer in December 2024 before he could complete it.

Tim had raised more than £27,000 for the Royal Marine Charity, Lymphoma Action, Rock 2 Recovery and the Bowra Foundation.

Tim Crossin aimed to brave over 30 cold water dips around the British coastline. Credit: John Justice

On Thursday 2 January - a day where temperatures were below freezing - colleagues took it upon themselves to finish Tim's challenge in the "Cold Dip Tour" and raised another £10,000 in his memory.

John Justice joined the marines with Tim in 1980.

He said: "The thing is with Tim, he sort of epitomised the commando spirit - with the way he carried on through his illness.

"He never said die and went all the way to the end, fighting his way, raising as much money as he possibly could."

  • Tim posted regular videos on social media during his Cold Dip Commando challenge tracking his progress.

Vic Drinkwater had joined Tim in his last cold water dip last month.

She said: "It was amazing. There were people that hadn't seen each other for 30 years that met up on a random beach to go in the sea and dip just because Tim inspired them to do that.

"And he's done it even now when he's not with us, we are still inspired to go in there and do it for him."Simon Wright, of the Royal Marines charity, said: "He was just part of the family, part of the Royal Marines family.

"We've all done the same things and we will all do the same thing for each other as time goes on so it's important just to come down and do it, remember him but keep that legacy going - it could be you tomorrow."The Cold Dip Tour visits Plymouth on Friday 3 January, then Land's End and Westward Ho! the following weekend - before going right round Britain via John o'Groats and finishing at the end of January near Tim's home in Dorset.