Proudies swimmers ready to tackle Rottnest Channel again

A committed team of swimmers crossing the Rottnest Channel for the Proudies Foundation this Saturday are on track to match last year’s fundraising effort.

Led by former Claremont Football Club player Harry Garland, the Swim for Proudie team last year raised almost $23,000 towards the rehabilitation and support of former teammate Warrick Proudlove, who was injured in a serious car accident in 2011.

For the second year, Mr Garland will swim solo for his former Claremont teammate while fellow mates Tom Taylor, Coleman Cristenelli, Patrick Jannings and Jordan Aitken will also again tackle the gruelling 19.7km swim as a team.

Inspired by her older brother Harry, Adelaide Garland will also hit the water again in a duo with Millie Martino while Mr Garland’s friends Chris Guard and Simon Hunt will swim solo.

Mr Garland, who has been competing in the Rottnest Swim since 2009, said the team was on track to reach last year’s fundraising effort.

“We weren’t really sure how we would go this year so our initial goal was $10,000 which we reached comfortably so we bumped it up to $15,000,” he said.

“If we can match last year’s effort that would be fantastic and that would mean $45,000 raised in two years.”

Mr Garland, who works at the West Coast Eagles as a performance analyst, said he was thrilled with the support his club had provided of $5000 from the players.

To donate visit everyday hero