If there's something good which comes out of a tragedy, it's the community which rallies in support.
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Since the fires began, there has been a flood of support from across the country, with people coming up with creative ways to try and help. This group of health and fitness professionals is no different.
Hailing from Romero's Athletics, Fuerza Fit with Kiki Hernandez, Tribe 11, Miss Fit Strength and Conditioning, Ultra Fitness and Strength, and Hybrid Performance, the group has banded together to host Canberra Fitness Community Fundraiser, which aims to bring people together through health and movement in a bid to raise money for bushfire relief. Every dollar from the day will go directly to Red Cross, Wires and Rural Fire Service charities.
"We were all talking about doing something separately and we thought it might be more fun if we do something collaboratively with a big group. And we thought we'd make a bit more of a difference," Clint Hartley from Hybrid Performance says
"Because we're all local - we're all within a couple of hundred metres of each other's facilities - we already have quite a strong community connection here, so it made sense that we come together," Morgan Greig from Tribe 11 says.
"The main thing is people coming together, having a bit of fun, having a lot of community involvement and raising funds."
The day will see participants broken up into three groups to try a variety of different exercises from strongman drills through to gymnastic skills and locomotion movement. Once all groups have rotated through each station there will be team building, high energy training session before sharing a mix of healthy foods.
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"It's a fun vibe, where anybody can come - beginners through all skill levels," Ultra Fitness and Strength's Jake Fisher says.
Of course, it is more than just a good excuse to get together. Each of the organisers has some sort of connection to the South Coast, and know people who were affected by the fires.
"We're all directly or at least one degree of separation from what happened at the coast through people that we know or family, or even us ourselves that were affected down there," Grieg says.
"I've got family that live in Moruya down there, and we were down there as well. We were down at Mallacoota and we went all the way to Sydney to come back, and we got trapped the whole way.
"Yes, people were all panicking, but they were also still coming together and offering help. Every town we went to at least four people were like 'You can come and park your van on our driveway if you want. Here's our number, here's our address and if we turn up there and you're there, then we'll know.'"
- Canberra Fitness Community Fundraiser is on Saturday, February 1 from 11am-2pm at Glebe Park. Tickets are $27.46 from Eventbrite to participate or from $11.64 to donate.
Heroes of the Home Front: It has been Australia's lost summer. Drought, hail, floods and, worst of all, bushfires have ravaged communities all over the nation. But the selfless actions of friends, family, neighbours, strangers, local groups and volunteer organisations have inspired us and strengthened the bonds of community. Please join us in saying thanks to the heroes of the home front by sharing your stories of gratitude. To salute a person or a group, please use the form below.