A 13-year-old boy has promised to swim in the sea every month for an entire year in different fancy dress outfits in a bid to save the oceans. Thomas Bond decided to take on the challenge after growing concerned about pollution, plastic waste and endangered sea creatures.
The unique mission aims to raise money for Ocean Conservation Trust, a charity promoting the health and cleanliness of the ocean. On his first challenge on Saturday, September 24, the schoolboy took a dip in his school uniform.
Thomas 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.
"It went well although I didn't realise how much my blazer would weigh me down as I swam."
For the first 12 swims, Thomas' friends and family joined him however the winter months will see him braving freezing water temperatures.
"I chose September to ease myself into things as the sea is still relatively warm," Thomas said. "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."
Just before Halloween on October 24, he'll be facing tides in Halloween fancy dress.
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 Thomas can inspire others to connect with the ocean too."
You can find out more about Thomas' pledge and to donate to his fundraiser.
