The April Project - 500km in 1 month - For mum
It seems as though anyone you talk to has been affected or knows of someone who has been impacted by cancer. Yet this does not dilute the suffering and heartbreak of its effect. Bowel cancer is no exception, being the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths in Australia, stripping people of a mate, an uncle, a grandparent, a sibling or a parent. The most heartbreaking bowel cancer statistic of all is that it can be 99% treated successfully if caught early enough.
In 2019 however, the thing that I, somewhat naively, disregarded as an improbable nightmare became a reality. My mum was unexpectedly diagnosed with bowel cancer. As an unaware 16-year-old and a perception of your parents that seem indestructible, the reality of the situation never sunk in. To tell you the truth, it still hasn’t. After battling for 4 years Mum could no longer put on a brave face, passing on April 26th, 4 days after her 54th birthday, making April a very special month for me and my family.
Nothing really prepares you for the realization of going through life and all its milestones without a Mum by your side, yet something so commonly robbed of people at the hand of cancer. Despite all she went through she always remained strong and positive, even at the most trying of times, a trait I hope to continue on. It is something I never really talk about and for many this part of my life may be unknown to them. I don’t intend for it to put the spotlight on me or even Mum to be completely honest, simply hoping to make something positive out of, what has been a tough situation, in true mum fashion.
I have always wanted to do something in Mum’s honour in the hope that it can support future families. In the last few months with Mum, I talked about wanting to do a marathon, however, for some delusional reason, it now seems that a marathon would be far too sensible. I’m a below-average runner, a seriously poor cyclist and an even worse swimmer, so naturally the logical decision is to do all three. In the month of April, given it’s significance to my family I intend to cover 500km. To achieve this milestone, I will be completing;
|
|
EVENT |
DISTANCE |
TOTAL (km) |
|
1. |
1 x Ironman Challenge |
3.9km swim – 180.2km ride – 42.2km run |
226.3 |
|
2. |
1 x Goggins Challenge |
6.44 km every 4 hours for 48hrs |
77.28 |
|
3. |
1 x Ultra-Marathon |
56km |
56 |
|
4. |
2 x Olympic Triathlon |
(1.5km swim – 40km ride – 10km run) x 2 |
103 |
|
5. |
1 x Marathon |
42.2km |
42.2 |
|
Month Total |
504.78 |
I will be updating the journey online to hold myself accountable for those interested in following along. My donation goal is to reach $10,000, something I would be extremely humbled to achieve. Any donation big or small would be appreciated more than you could know and will go to better facilitate bowel cancer research and spread much-needed awareness on its prevention through the Jodi Lee Foundation.
My Achievements
Fundraising Page
Received 5 Donations
Reached Goal
Increased Target
Thank you to my Sponsors
$520
Jenny Brown
$263.75
Steve & Barb Moffatt
Good luck👍
$263.75
Jcaff
Nutter
$250
Myglass.
We are cheering on Luke from your surfing group in Christchurch. Hope you raise all you hope and more.
$210
Nic Robertson
I only have one better word than PROUD. LOVE! ….Your spirit. Your heart. Your soul. Your energy. Your ambition. Your determination. Your friends. Your success! Go get em Luke. Shooting beyond those starts as ever. X
$200
Em And Andy Toogood
Wowzers Luke 🤩 I love it - the April Project! Just like your mum too - not doing things by halves. Wishing you the very best of luck and a following wind for each and every one of the challenges 🏊♂️🚴♂️🏃♂️
$200
Noah Robertson
Good luck mate 🫡
$110
The Taylors !
well done Luke many congratulations david, Kelly, maddie & James
$105.50
Timothy Weir
$105.50
Lachlan Clarke
Amazing Robbo! Absolute legend and all for an amazing cause. Love your work xx
$105.50
Family Donnelly
Go Luke go! We'll be cheering you on all 500 km
$105.50
Bell Family.
Well done Luke! I know your beautiful mum will be watching over you.
$105.50
Jules Richards
Cheering you on Luke as you smash the Ultra marathon on your dear mum’s birthday today. I’ve been thinking about you a lot. Truly inspirational 🌟 sending love 🧡
$105.50
Lauren Mellett
$105.50
William Edwards
Gday Mate, I played you in QLD a long time ago for Tassie and met you again when you came to a Hobart lions training. I wish you all the best for this, say Gday to Noah and Nick for me aswell. Cheers
$105.50
Paul And Jenny Montefiore
All the best Luke
$104.50
Meldrum Family
All the best, Luke. Much love from the Meldrum family...Stuart, Sarah, Harry & Sol
$101
Luke Masters
$101
Phoenix Smith
Good on you Luke. All the best with your efforts.
$101
The Wingfield Family
Can't believe that you sprinted the last lap of your Ironman last night, and smashed a sub-4! (from your Christchurch support crew)
$100
Alistair Banks
Best of luck Luke with your extreme challenges. Hope all goes well.
$100
Jacob Tull
Inspirational stuff my friend!
$100
The Uk Robbos
Very proud of you Luke! Such an ambitious challenge, but have no doubt you'll do it! A good time to reflect on things. With you all the way xxxxx
$95
Anonymous
$80.63
Tony Vo
Go get 'em Lukey, right behind you mate!
$80.63
James Andrews
Huge mate!
$79.13
David Lamitie
I wish I could be there to witness all of this!
$79.13
Indi Sturgeon
$78.38
Liz & Andrew Robertson
👍
$76
Darcy Lillecrapp
You’re a great man doing great things! Keep up the awesome work Robbo!
$75
Charlie Shepperd
$75
Nathan Rokebrand
$75
Matt Robertson
❤️❤️
$75
Oliver L
$60
Jess Toogood
Good luck Luke, Kate would be so proud💙
$52.75
The Dancer Family
Best of luck Luke.
$52.75
Ned Gauvin
What your doing is awesome mate, go well!!
$52.75
Imogen Dickinson
$52.75
Angus M
Keep training hard
$52.75
Lisa Jeffery
All the very best Luke from the Fisher - Jeffery family ( Lachy Fisher).
$52.75
Issy Shearer
$52.75
Annie Mccarthy
$52.75
Sam Allder
Love your work mate keep it up. Proud of ya x
$52.75
Madeline Dodds
You are an inspiration, courageous and kind. You have got this !!! Super proud of you!!
$52.75
Palser Family
Good luck Luke!
$52.75
Leary Family
Awesome work
$52.75
Jack Lee
This is great Luke
$52.75
Sam Jones
$52.75
Sam Upton
$52.75
Chris & Corne’
All the best Luke and enjoy every moment of your inspirational “April Project”. Your Mum🩵is smiling xx
$52.75
Jackie Lee
Wow, your Mum would be so proud of you!
$52.75
Cam Dixon
This is unreal! Great man, great cause. So proud!
$52.75
Anonymous
This is so amazing Luke
$52.75
Eloise Montefiore
Unreal Lukey! Best of luck 💕
$52.75
Tom Mocatta
Good luck king, you’ll smash it
$52.75
Tracey Rusden ❤️
Legendary effort Luke ❤️
$52.75
Jane Bowman
Go for it Luke Kate was a precious friend, sadly missed, this is so wonderful that you are doing this crazy feat in her honour
$52.75
Dan Chesbrough
Amazing effort Luke, good luck xx
$52.25
Jess Hulett
$51
Rebecca Foster
$51
Daiva Fuller
Good luck and be kind to your body.
$50
Catriona And Leo Neil-dwyer
Congratulations Luke for taking on such an immense challenge. Kate would be chuffed to bits x
$50
Baeley Tucker And Family
Well done Robbo!!! So impressive!
$50
Bianca Feher
love u robbo 🫶
$50
Lilly Crawford
$50
Eliza Lee
Incredible work Luke 🫶🏻
$50
Tara Phelps
$42.20
J & M Feher
❤️
$31.50
Charli Dodson
$26.38
Flynn
Good luck brother. Awesome cause.
$26.38
Jayne And Mark Sidey
Great work, this is awesome!!!!
$26.38
Shirley James
Lets hope you reach your target Luke
$26.38
Andy & Cath Bygrave
Wishing you God speed with your challenges. Your mum would be so very proud 💕
$26.38
Ben Ransom
Amazing work mate x
$26.38
Anonymous
$26.38
Jordan Laverty
Love your work Robbo
$26.38
Anonymous
this is absolutely amazing! so proud of you x
$26.38
Ward-martins
Good on ya Luke, what a great thing to be doing.
$26.38
Adams House Parents
Great effort
$26.38
Gabby
Proud of you Luke
$26.25
Emma
Amazing
$26
Amy Stronach
Well done Luke, a very good cause close to my heart and many others sadly. Thanks Amy Stronach James's Mum
$26
Suz Elsworth/hodgson
Luke - you're amazing. Following in Kate's inspirational footsteps, I see! Go smash these challenges. 👏👏
$26
Anonymous
$26
Penny And Peter Dixon
amazing challenge or should i say challenges. lots of luck! 🍀
$26
Amie Kirkland
Great work Luke
$25
Mark Harrison
Sterling effort Luke.
$25
Gabrielle Upston
Admirable cause. Good on you.
$25
Dino M
What you’re doing is an inspiration. Thanks Luke
$25
Charlie Shepperd
So proud of you mate!
$25
Katrina Stats
So sorry for your personal experience with bowel cancer and the loss of your beloved mum, Luke. That’s an impressive challenge, good luck!
$25
Josh Dunstan
$25
Zac
Fucking Rip in Lad
$21
Letitia Izzo
you’ve got this!!
$21
Diane Hunter
What a challenge!! Certainly know how to push yourself. Well done. Your mum would be so proud. Hope it goes well and no injuries!! . Have fun!!!
$11
Lucy Cole
Love your work Luke, sooooo proud!
$10.55
Blessing Mupamhadzi
Inspirational!!
$10.50
Harry Cooke
Good luck Luke, from Cookes
