Trash to Treasure star Lee Jones is more used to wading through junk for his reclamation business than braving the cold waters around the Isle of Wight. But this week the scrapyard star is set to swim across the Solent to Bestival music festival on the Isle of Wight for a charity that is close to his heart. Lee and his brother Trevor, who also appears on the ITV1 show narrated by Liza Tarbuck, lost their father to cancer four years ago. And as Lee told whatsontv.co.uk, it's the work of Marie Curie Cancer Care that will be inspiring him to swim to the Isle of Wight on Thursday. "Dad wanted to die at home with all his loving family there by his side. This wouldn’t have been possible if it wasn’t for Marie Curie. Their nurses came and stayed with us. They’re like angels. They gave amazing support to our family," said Lee. At around 2pm on Thursday, Lee will be among 20 swimmers swimming from Hurst Castle, Hampshire, 2.5km across the Solent to Caldwell Bay on the island. "Dad would be proud," Lee told us. "I wish he was here to see it. Mum gave me his golden wedding ring last Christmas, and I told her I’m going to be wearing it as I swim across the Solent – all taped up of course – so he’s with me on Thursday. "She called me an idiot for doing something so dangerous, but she was quite touched." Lee added: "We’re also raising money for the Island’s Youth Water Activity Centre, and they’ll be in contact with the coastguard and harbour master as the Solent is a busy shipping channel with lots of big ships we’re hoping to dodge." You’ll be able to watch Lee’s swim and see how he gets on in Seeking Salvage on the History Channel next month. As well, Trash to Treasure returns to ITV1 in the autumn. If you haven’t got a ticket to the festival, this year Bestival will be the first UK festival to be streamed live on YouTube, so you can watch acts from Azealia Banks to New Order in the comfort of your own living room. For more info on Lee’s swim and fundraising details, go to swim2bestival.com.
