A local father raised more than $5,000 this summer for a children鈥檚 charity after attempting to swim across the Strait of Georgia.

Merville dad Jan Kotyk jumped in the water near his home at 6 a.m. and began swimming towards the B.C. mainland, 28 kilometres away. He spent 13 hours in the water in late August, fundraising for the Make-A-Wish foundation.

He recently wrote the charity a cheque out for the proceeds of the event, for $5,165.

In an interview with the Record, Kotyk shared details from the swim. He said he fell just short of his goal after running into some issues in the home stretch.

鈥淚 swam in basically the same spot for just over an hour and a half,鈥� said Kotyk.

Jan was met with a strong current after swimming past Savary Island. His team, including his wife, brother and brother-in-law, resigned shortly after, in the 13th hour.

The dad said he organized the fundraiser to show thanks for Make-A-Wish foundation, which last year donated a tent-trailer to the Kotyks.

It was the wish of his 10-year-old son who was born with a serious disease. The boy is now healthy, said Kotyk, but Make-A-Wish nevertheless granted the wish to the family last year, prompting the father and son to plan camping trips to China Beach.

Kotyk said he鈥檚 thankful for everybody who donated and supported the fundraiser.

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