Four burly Coogee locals set to swim around Wedding Cake Island to raise $40k for sick kids

TELEVISION personality Cam Williams and three others blokes are planning to swim from Coogee to Wedding Cake Island and back, hoping to raise $40,000 for the Sydney Children’s Hospital.

Christian Yassmin, Cam Williams, Dennis Vertzayias and Rodney Sen are getting ready for their charity swim. Picture: Carly Earl

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MORE than 200 children will find it a little easier to brave hospital thanks to four burly Coogee locals.

McGrath Project executive director Dennis Vertzayias has put together an ocean swim team to raise funds for Sydney Children’s Hospital in Randwick.

Joining him in his courageous bid to swim from Coogee Beach to Wedding Cake Island and back is rugby player Christian Yassmin, TV personality Cam Williams and businessman Rodney Sen.

So far their 2.5km charity swim has raised $10,000 but they hope to reach $40,000 before the November 27 swim.

The hospital’s community fundraising manager Sadie Moore said the money raised would go to a good cause.

“With the $10,000 the McGrath Projects Team have raised so far this could help us provide 200 child life therapy sessions, to help children cope with the anxiety of being in Hospital,” Ms Moore said.

“If they succeed in reaching their inspiring goal of $40,000 this could fund important equipment that monitors children’s vital signs.”

The boys are going to brave some tough conditions in their quest to raise $40,000.

Mr Vertzayias hoped “doing their bit” encouraged others in the community.

“Every single person should do their little bit,” Mr Vertzayias said.

“We’ve set a very ambitious target of $40,000 — it could be very huge for just a bunch of guys.”

He said the challenge was a no-brainer.

“I have spent a lot of time looking out to the island,” he said.

“It’s in the middle of nowhere.

“To just get around the damn thing and make it back would be amazing.”

You can donate at the Everyday Heros website.