A BRAVE Teignmouth swimmer is taking part in a five month global winter sea swim challenge to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Kirsty Mellor has already raised more than £2,500 so far in the charity event called the Extreme Penguin Challenge.

Kirsty, who is in her 50s, now swims every week in the sea but, crucially, without a wetsuit.

She explained: ‘Each week I, along with a band of mates who are joining in for fun, hit the waves, usually in Teignmouth but it’s wherever there happens to be cold water.’

The challenge runs from November 1 to March 31 with the aim of completing a set number of cold swims over the winter.

Kirsty said: ‘I’m feeling the cold already! 5 long months of freezing Wim Hof style swims to complete.

‘It's going to be a physical and mental challenge.’

She hope to have reach £3,000 when the challenge ends.

This week, Leanne Thomas, South West Relationship Fundraising Manager for Macmillan Cancer Support, will be joining Kirsty to boost her profile.

Kirsty said: ‘Macmillan does an incredible job supporting those who are battling the disease, as well as their immediate families who equally need support.’

During her swims so far, Kirsty was approached by a woman on the beach who explained she loved sea swimming.

Kirsty said: ‘We encouraged her to join us next time if she could.

‘It turned out she had been undergoing cancer treatment herself and sea swimming was her therapy to aid her mental health during this time.

‘She joins us regularly now and is a new friend.’