By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
THREE months before their wedding last year, Oliver and Monique Kellett received news that no one should ever have to hear. Monique’s father, Norman, had been diagnosed with prostate cancer.
Understanding that actions speak louder than words ever could, 26-year-old Oliver has decided to participate in Movember to raise cancer awareness and support for his new father-in-law, but with a twist.
For every dollar Oliver raises through his Movember campaign, he will complete an extra two ‘burpees’ – a fitness exercise loved by personal trainers who want to torment their students.
“I’m involved with CrossFit Narre Warren and the punishment if you’re late to class is to do some burpees,” Oliver, from Berwick, said.
“So I thought for every dollar people chip in, I’ll do some burpees.”
Norman was first diagnosed with cancer in July 2012 but after being forced into remission the illness has returned. On average, close to 3300 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer a year.
“Norman and my mother-in-law are just troopers. They got onto it straight away,” Oliver said.
“It went into remission and then came back but it’s at a really minute level.
“Technically he still has cancer but it’s just so small. We’re hopeful they can put it back into remission.”
Rallying as much support as he can, Oliver will be kicking off his burpee challenge from 11am on 30 November at CrossFit Pakenham. He is already incredibly close to reaching his self-appointed limit of 1000 burpees, currently having raised $485.
But Oliver has urged people to keep donating once he hits the $500 mark, even calling on them to come and watch the fitness frenzy.
“For every $100 over $500, someone from Crossfit Narre Warren or Crossfit Pakenham will also do 100 burpees with me,” he said.
“I’ve been able to rope in a couple of mates and I plan to get 10 other people.
“I’ve done 200 burpees in one go before and that killed me. The plan is to pace this one pretty well.”
And while Oliver admits that his father-in-law is a man of few words, Norman has been overwhelmed at the support of his Movember campaign.
“He’s really happy with what I’m doing,” Oliver said.
For more information, visit Oliver’s ‘Mospace’ at: http:/au.movember.com/mospace/6816401
