A BRAVE fundraiser, who swam across the Firth of Forth in just over half an hour, has beaten his fundraising target.

Tom Mallows took the plunge at South Queensferry on Sunday with 100 other hardy individuals for the 1.4-mile swim.

The 40-year-old took on the challenge in aid of the Venture Trust, which supports some of Scotland’s most vulnerable and disadvantaged young people and adults.

Tom told the Courier: “I got on very well, I enjoyed it and we had good weather.

“It was quite a good turnout with over 100 people swimming and the weather was quite warm, which was very nice.

“I managed to get across slightly quicker than I expected, in just under 37 minutes – 36 minutes 52 seconds, I think – so I was really chuffed with that.

“I think I was 33rd out of the 101 who took part.”

Tom, of Garvald, joined the board of the charity a year ago and had set himself a fundraising target of £1,000 for the charity, which uses Scotland’s outdoors for learning and development to help people overcome challenging life circumstances.

Participants on its programmes are taken on a five to 10-day “wilderness journey”, where they get time and space away from their chaotic lives.

Through wild camping, outdoor and group activities, they are encouraged to step out of their comfort zone to develop skills, confidence, motivation, and strategies to help them overcome problems when they get back home.

Tom has raised more than £1,000, with donations still coming in.

The swimmers set off from Hawes Pier, under the Forth Bridge, and swam across the Forth to North Queensferry.

Tom said: “I had done the Gullane Triathlon a few years ago and this was easier than that, but then you have to cycle and run a long way after the swim.

“The water was a little bit calmer until the middle, when waves were coming down the length of the Forth from the west.

“I was swallowing a fair amount of sea water, which does not make you feel good and I had the added enjoyment my right goggle seemed intent on letting water in all the time.

“That made it a little bit harder but the actual swim was a little bit easier than the triathlon.

“I was surprised by how quickly we got across.”

Tom, who works as the development manager for the Crown Estate, encouraged other people to take up outdoor swimming and highlighted East Lothian as the perfect setting for taking up the sport.

He added: “East Lothian has a beautiful coastline and is a great place to do outdoor swimming – as long as it is safe.”

To support Tom’s fundraising efforts, visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/TomMallows1 to make a donation.