Cade Lucas
Whether it be a crowdfunding page, a raffle, a benefit concert or rattling tins at traffic lights, there are almost as many ways to fundraise as there are causes to fundraise for.
Attempting to do burpees for 24 hours though is one that’s unlikely to catch on.
But for the fifth year in a row, it’s exactly what Werribee police officer Jerry Roper will do with his Burpees for Autism fundraiser this Friday September 29.
Starting at 11 am at the Sculpt and Burn gym in Truganina, Mr Roper will undertake the challenge which this year comes with added goal of breaking the world records for both 12 and 24 hours.
“I’m hoping to get 10,000 in 24 hours” he said.
“The goal is to do 420 every hour and that should take about 40 minutes and then a 20 minute rest.”
The current 24 hour record for chest to ground burpees is 9119 and 6013 for 12 hours.
While that seems daunting, Mr Roper has put in plenty of preparation.
“I’ve done nearly 90,000 this year already as training.”
He’s also not lacking in motivation.
“I’ve got four kids and my older three have been diagnosed with autism,” he said of the developmental condition which is highly hereditary.
“My youngest daughter she’s going through an autism assessment as well”
While Mr Roper’s children are high-functioning autistic, they still face considerable challenges.
“The kids have sensory processing disorders so have a lot of issues with sound, touch, taste and social interactions.”
As with the previous years, all money raised will go to the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute.
Money can be donated at: burpeesforautism.raisely.com/the-challenge
