Connor Todd: Hundreds brave chilly waters in memory of teen

Hundreds of people donned swimming costumes for a New Year's Day dip in memory of a teenager killed by a brain tumour.

Fifteen-year-old Connor Todd, of Cambois in Northumberland, died in October 2021 just over 18 months after being diagnosed.

Organised by his mother Clair and now in its third year, the dip is raising money for five cancer charities.

She praised the efforts of all those who took part.

Keen rugby player Connor underwent chemotherapy and several operations following his diagnosis in March 2020.

Describing her emotions as "still very raw", Mrs Todd said the charities benefitting from the fundraising had all helped her son.

"I don't think it's something that will get any easier," she said.

"It's all the more upsetting when it's a child, although we are finding ways to help us cope.

"The five charities are run by people who have also lost children and we want to help them because smaller charities don't get the same exposure as larger ones.

"Thankfully the weather's been great with bright blue skies and hundreds of people took part.

"We go in the water all the time but for people who don't then the temperature at this time of year can be a shock to the system."

Now in its third year, previous dips have raised several thousand pounds.

The charities benefitting this year are Jack's Journey, Luke's Life Legacy, Jessica's Sarcoma Awareness, Molly Ollys and Danica's Dream Fund.

Mrs Todd, 48, is also part of a group of eight women, known as Angel Mums, who have collected more than £70,000 in aid of the Tessa Jowell Foundation, which was set up in honour of former Labour cabinet minister Dame Tessa Jowell who died aged 70 in 2018.

About 400 children die in the UK of brain tumours every year, according to the foundation, with the UK having one of the lowest survival rates in Western Europe.

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