Entered into this weekend’s inaugural Port to Pub, Berry is using his lengthy swim to raise money for those affect by violent crimes through charity Maylands-based angelhands.
“Angelhands works with victims of trauma,” he said.
“In WA, over a hundred people each year are murdered and providing a safe support place is part of what we do.
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READ NOW“There is always a need to try and grow the service and hopefully any money raised will go towards this.”
While he has loved swimming for years, Berry said the longest distance he had ever done before entering the race was 7km.
His most recent training run saw him finish 18km, Sunday’s event becoming the first time he would crack the 20km mark.
Berry will join more than 100 other Port to Pub competitors in swimming from Leighton Beach to Rottnest Island, following the route from the first Rottnest Channel crossing in 1956.
Port to Pub committee member Ceinwen Roberts said participants were taking advantage of increased opportunities to swim to Rottnest.
“This race is about giving more people more access to this iconic swim and meeting the increasing demand for open water swimming and ultra challenging sporting events in WA,” she said.
The Port to Pub is on Saturday, with swimmers entering the water from 6.20am.