ST TEATH’S Mary Phillips has raised nearly £500 to be split between the Cornwall Air Ambulance and Devon Air Ambulance, after agreeing to run into the water in a wetsuit.

Mary, 77, has raised over £60,000 for charity over the years, but was dared by local farmer, George Williams, to take a dip at Polzeath beach.

As she always does, she took on the challenge, but admits that it was harder work than she thought it might be.

Mary said: “To tell you the truth it was a bit of a gimmick. George dared me to do it for £25 so I said I’d do it and then another farmer, Andrew Button, said he’d double it. Since then it’s sort of spiralled and now I’ve got nearly £500. No-one actually thought I’d do it, so it’s worked out really well.

“I’ve never put on a wetsuit in my life and it was hilarious. My husband had to stand next to me by the car with a blanket to hide me while I tried to get it on.

“I got my left leg in easily but the right leg was nightmare and it was only then we worked out I was trying to put it in the arm. No wonder it didn’t fit.

“Once we sorted ourselves out I walked out there in front of everyone and got in the water. It was a bit embarrassing but I’m glad I did it.”

However, the challenge was nothing compared to some of Mary’s legendary trips.

She has driven her bright orange 1953 Field Marshall Series 3A tractor from John O’Groats to Land’s End, which took her 17 days and then repeated the journey a year later in 2013.

The tractor only goes at 9mph and has driven nearly 3,750 miles in it.

Mary is also an author and received a British Empire Medal from the Queen for her services to charity.