A Deal grandad has braved a freezing sea swim to raise cash for charity.

Retired policeman Jim Williams, 75, plunged into icy waters in Broadstairs to collect sponsorship of £1,000 for the King's College Starfish Appeal.

The appeal aims to raise £2 million to pay for refurbishment of the Mountbatten Ward, which cares for children with liver disease.

The cause is close to Jim's heart, his great niece Lily Connell has had two liver transplants.

The 14-year-old, from Broadstairs, was just months old when she underwent the first nine hour liver transplant to save her life - and just 10-years-old when she had to go through it for a second time.

Jim said: "Lily was born with liver disease and has been treated all her life at King's College Hospital, London. I've been doing this dip to raise money for their Starfish Appeal for the last three years.

"If Lily hadn't been given two transplants she would be dead. I do this because the Mountbatten Ward, where they treat babies and children with liver disease, is a fantastic place but needs money for renovations and equipment.

"The New Year's dip has always been worth the pain. Lily's a great fighter and a damn good kid and the team that saved her life deserve all the help they can get."

*King's College Hospital – Starfish Appeal

The Mountbatten Ward at King's College Hospital has been treating children with liver disease for the past 30 years.

The unit has the highest success rate for liver transplants in children in the world.

The team carry out 45 to 60 liver transplants a year

Two children are diagnosed with liver disease every day in the UK.

The Starfish Appeal aims to raise £2 million to update Mountbatten Ward and so far has raised £1.1million

To donate funds or to find out more information visit www.kch.nhs.uk/fundraising/support/starfish/ or call 020 3299 3456