Someone who has had a splashing start to the festive season is charity fund-raiser Freddy Brown. Unable to take part in this year's Tenby's Boxing Day Swim and the New Year's Day dip in Saundersfoot on the appropriate days, Freddy held his own one-man event this week. Sixty-nine-year-old Freddy was keen to maintain his record of not missing a swim and braved the briny on Tuesday, accompanied by his pet dog Shep. Starting with a swim at Tenby's Castle Beach, he then moved round to North Beach, where the ever- popular Boxing Day Swim is staged, before heading into the sea at Saundersfoot, and rounding his challenge off with a dip at Amroth. "I must have been mad," said Freddy, who is in remission from leukaemia. "There was a low tide and the water was very calm and not too chilly, so I was able to swim a good way out," he said afterwards. "I will be away for the swims this year and as I have never missed a swim, I decided to hold my own swim a week early. I always enjoy taking part in the swims and one year, I was even brought down to the water in my wheelchair." Freddy is raising funds for a new prostate cancer laser machine at Withybush Hospital, Haverfordwest, and anyone who would like to sponsor him can telephone him on 01646 682732. See also special feature in this week's issue for more information on the Tenby swim.