A mum-of-two from Whitley Bay dipped in the freezing North Sea every day in December, to raise money to help find a cure for the disease that killed her friend.

Civil servant Katherine Davis, braved temperatures as low as -7 degrees wearing 31 different hats for each day of her challenge to raise money for Brain Tumour Research.

Katherine and her husband Colin's good friend Lee Patterson passed away in November shortly after being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour.

Lee, also from Whitley Bay, died aged 51, leaving behind a loving family, wife Kathy and his three sons William, 23, Thomas, 22 and Michael, 20.

Lee and Tom Patterson with Emily and Katherine Davis pudding run
Lee and Tom Patterson with Emily and Katherine Davis pudding run

Katherine said: "Lee's death was so tragic and I can’t imagine the pain Kathy and the boys are going through. My heart breaks for all of them.

"Lee and Colin were golf partners. He was such a funny, intelligent and entertaining man, who is sorely missed.

"Getting into the water as temperatures start to plummet has been hard but I wanted this to be genuinely challenging.

"My physical pain is nothing compared to the emotional pain our dear friends are going through and this is my way of showing them my support at this truly dreadful time."

Katherine began sea swimming five years ago but has never taken on such an extreme challenge.

Every morning at 6:30 am before work, she took the plunge wearing only a swimming costume and her weird and wonderful hats including a cowboy hat, red trilby and a complete Mrs Claus outfit on Christmas Day.

Katherine Davis braved the North Sea every morning over December raising money for Brain Tumour Research in memory of her friend Lee Patterson
Katherine Davis braved the North Sea every morning over December raising money for Brain Tumour Research in memory of her friend Lee Patterson

Katherine, who works for HMRC added "I didn't wear a wet suit. It’s hard to explain how it feels when you submerge; it’s as much a mental challenge as a physical one but in a strange way, I love it.

"When the cold hits you, it takes your breath away but it is so invigorating."

Inspired by Brain Tumour Research’s annual fundraiser Wear A Hat Day, which takes place in March, Katherine collated 31 hats for her challenge.

Joe Woollcott, Community Fundraising Manager for Brain Tumour Research, said: "We were so sorry to learn of Lee’s passing and send our sincere condolences to all of his loved ones.

"Approximately 16,000 people each year are diagnosed with a brain tumour. We cannot allow more families to be torn apart by this horrendous disease.

"We are so impressed by Katherine’s heroic challenge and her innovative idea to wear 31 different hats throughout! We wish her all the best for the rest of the month and hope the conditions are kind to her.

"Like so many of our fantastic fundraisers, Katherine isn’t letting lockdown get in the way of her efforts, at a time when charities are shouldering the burden of lots of large fundraising events being cancelled, due to the pandemic. We are truly grateful to her."

To donate via Katherine’s fundraising page follow this link