Wallasey man swims 'ice mile' to raise funds for friend

Mr Starr said Mr McMillan's own challenges had inspired him and made him "look at things in a different way"

A man who swam an "ice mile" to help fund his friend's cancer treatment has said he "absolutely loved it".

Matt Starr, from Wallasey, took on the challenge on behalf of his friend Joe McMillan, who was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2021.

The experienced cold water swimmer trained for six months to do the swim in water temperatures below 5C.

He said he had been inspired by Mr McMillan's approach to the challenges he has faced since being diagnosed.

Mr McMillan, who is also from Wallasey, needed to travel to Germany for dendritic cell therapy after he stopped responding to treatment in the UK.

He said test results after the first part of the therapy showed his tumour was stable, but the treatment had cost thousands of pounds.

He added that he had been due to return to Germany for a second treatment in January, but was unable to afford it.

Mr Starr is an experienced cold water swimmer who trained for six months to take the challenge

That was where Mr Starr stepped in to help his friend and take on what he said was widely regarded in the swimming world as the ultimate challenge for long distance swimmers.

His efforts in New Brighton Marine Lake have raised £16,000, which was enough for Mr McMillan to pay for another round of treatment.

Mr Starr said he felt inspired by the challenges his friend had faced.

"He has given me so many gifts," he said.

"He challenges me to look at things in a different way [and is] very inspirational in the way he thinks."

Mr McMillan said Mr Starr's efforts had inspired him to get back into the water

Mr McMillan said he also made regular trips to the lake after his German oncologist suggested cold water could help boost his immune system.

He added that Mr Starr's training had encouraged him to return to the water after experiencing setbacks.

"I hadn't been able to go the marine lake because my body had been in such a state, but he's swimming in something for 30 minutes which I'm sitting in for three minutes," he said.

He added that the challenge was "not just about raising funds and buying me more time".

"It's given me the motivation to do the things that I have the time for".

Mr Starr said on the day of the challenge, fellow cold water swimmers and members of the local community turned out to support the pair.

"I swam quite well, I swam fast... I absolutely loved it," he said.