30,000 burpees pledge to raise money for firefighters

Cross fit members will put their body on the line to help firefighters.

BURPEES: Crossfit Cooltown owner Bryan Cardeno and Coolum firefighter Steve Kube getting into shape for the 'burpee' fundraiser. Picture: Warren Lynam.

SUNSHINE Coast cross fitters have pledged to complete 30,000 burpees to raise funds for bushfire relief.

Organised by CrossFit Cool Town the challenge is a part of a national fundraiser but also provides the opportunity to donate towards a gift for the local QFS.

CrossFit Cool Town owner and head coach Bryan Cardeno said with fires devastating Australia he wanted to “get behind” local firefighters.

“There is really not much talk because of what is happening down south … but, we have local men and women here that are fighting fires too that should be given credit,” he said.

“It did start here and then went down there and all the focus is down there, but these guys worked just as hard to put out the fires.”

For every dollar donated the participants will complete one burpee that will go towards their final count.

Coolum Fire Station captain Jason Spink said during a time like this action speaks louder than words.

“It will definitely be a challenge for those that get out there and do the burpees and raise the money, but I think that’s what’s really required right now,” he said.

“Thoughts and prayers are fantastic, but it takes some action to raise the money that is going to be needed to support those firefighters and the people.”

With police and paramedics committed to the course Mr Spink said his team was ready for the challenge.

“The crew is very excited to be involved and raising money to support those firefighters and family’s in the southern state but at the same time there is a little bit of in trepidation of the hard work of how many burpees we are going to have to pump out,” he said.

“We’ve also got police and ambulance coming down so there will quite possibly be a few challengers out there between the services … and we can’t be beaten by the cops.”

Mr Cardeno said 200 Sunshine Coasters are expected to attend the event, which is open for anyone who wants to contribute to the burpee count.

“We could have easily done this in our own gym and invited everyone, but our members said this is far bigger than us – this is a whole community thing so that’s why we sent a message to everyone to say, ‘hey jump on board’,” he said.

“30,000 burpees to get through is a lot so the more the merrier, everyone can show some support and some love and help us out that would be great.”

The event held at the Coolum Fire Station on January 18, begins at 9am and will run all day.

Funds raised through the Burpees For The Bush Fire Relief National Facebook page will be donated to the Trustee for Country Fire Authority & Brigades Donations Fund.