Teenager Tom’s Fancy Dress Dips In Aid Of Ocean Charity
TEENAGER Thomas Bond is embarking on a unique challenge - to help save our oceans.
The 13-year-old, is swimming in the sea, every month, for a year… in fancy dress.
Thomas is raising money for the Ocean Conservation Trust charity which encourages everyone, from individuals to communities and industry to government, to make choices with the health of the ocean in mind.
The keen swimmer hatched the idea after growing concerned about pollution, plastic waste and the plight of sea creatures.
He said: “I decided I couldn’t just sit there and do nothing. I wanted to raise money but have some fun at the same time and, after speaking to my family, came up with the idea of the fancy dress challenge.”
Thomas, who lives in East Devon, said his outfit would reflect the month he was swimming in and that he would welcome others to join him.
His first swim took place this weekend (Sept 23/24) in his school uniform. Friends and family joined him for the dip at Sidmouth.
“I chose September to ease myself into things as the sea is still relatively warm,” Thomas said.
“It went well although I didn't realise how much my blazer would weigh me down as I swam.”
And Thomas said he wasn’t relishing the pre and post Christmas dips.
He added: “I have been swimming in the winter before but always in a thick wetsuit. All I will be wearing during the challenge will be the fancy dress outfit I have chosen.
“I’m hoping that fellow beach lovers will be inspired to come along and I will be posting the dates of my dips on my Just Giving and Twitter pages.”
Nicola Bridge, Head of Ocean Advocacy and Engagement, at the Ocean Conservation Trust, said: “We are delighted that Thomas has chosen the Ocean Conservation Trust as his charity to fundraise for.
“We know that experiencing the ocean first hand, whilst having a fun time, provides the foundation for caring about the ocean and taking action to protect it, so it’s great that Thomas shares our ethos and is immersing himself in the ocean. We hope that Thomas can inspire others to connect with the ocean too!”
Thomas will be taking his next plunge once again at Sidmouth during half term… this time in a Halloween outfit.
He will be on the main beach, between the rock islands at 1.30pm on October 24.
To support Thomas, go to his Just Giving page at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/thomasjoseph-bond
