Footballers set for Christmas Day swim (From Mid Devon Star)

Footballers set for Christmas Day swim

10:18pm Sunday 14th December 2008 in News By Mid Devon Star Reporter

THREE footballers from Cullompton are ready to swap the midfield engine room for the freezing cold sea off the East Devon coast to raise money for charity.

Brothers Russell and Danny Jee and their friend Ian Patchett have decided to take part in the traditional Christmas Day swim off Exmouth beach.

The intrepid trio, who have all played Western League football for Willand Rovers, will be taking up the challenge for the fourth successive year.

“It started off as a drunken bet on Christmas Eve and has now turned into a tradition,” said player/coach Russell, 29.

“This will be our fourth year so we thought ‘why not raise some money for charity this time?'

“You feel like life is really worth living on Christmas Day when it’s freezing cold and you're in the sea!”

The footballers will be braving the conditions in aid of the Exeter Leukaemia Fund (ELF) and hope to raise at least £500.

They chose ELF after consulting Willand supporter Ian Buchanan, a well-known charity fundraiser who has competed in a number of London Marathons.

But wouldn't they rather spend Christmas Day in the comfort and warmth of their own living rooms?

Russell, a former Exeter City apprentice who works as a plasterer, said: “Life is too short to be sitting around on Christmas Day.

"We can all sit on our armchairs in 50 years' time.

“What matters now is the present – and this is our time to make an impact for our chosen charity.”

Russell and Danny currently play for Willand while close pal Ian, a former Yeovil Town trainee and Tiverton Town utility man, now plies his trade for Barnstaple Town.

Rovers vice-captain Danny, 23, said: “Life is one big race to us. We will not be taking this swim lightly.

"Our aim is to be the first in and last out of the sea. Bring it on.”

The swim starts at 11am on Christmas Day and the trio will be joined by friends Stuart Maynard, a 27-year-old trainee PE teacher from Cullompton, and Richard Clarke, a 29-year-old farmer from Kentisbeare.

PE teacher Ian, 23, said: “There are usually about 400-plus swimmers and a couple thousand people watching, so it’s a major event.

“We just can't wait for the adrenalin rush we will get at that start line knowing we are going to be doing it for a good cause.”

Anybody interested in sponsoring the group should call Danny on 07732 801884.