Communal benefits from Tom’s workouts

CP member Tom Bollard is not a man to let the grass grow under his tyre tracks. Tom likes to keep fit and he also likes to contribute to his community. Some years ago he decided to combine the two and use his fitness ambitions to benefit those in need.

The first to benefit from his generosity was his local Childhood Centre in Henderson where he works, as a volunteer, four mornings a week. The Centre was in desperate need of a computer, printer and some software. Without hesitation Tom organized a Wheel-a- thon and raised the money for the much needed equipment.

This year he organized a Row-a-thon to raise money for Auckland’s Starship hospital.
“While doing my first workout on the rowing machine at my local gym I could only row 50 meters, said Tom. “I realized the benefit of the rowing machine on my heart and lungs and I started attending the gym 2 to 3 times a week. I was soon thinking 50 meters was not as difficult anymore and started increasing the time I spent on the rowing machine. As I got fitter I thought why not put more effort into the rowing, and row for charity”.

When he was reaching 8 kilometers on an hourly basis his thoughts turned to doing a marathon.

The day finally arrived when he cast all the doubters aside by completing the rowing marathon at the Body Health Fitness Gym.

“I made the distance (26 miles/42 kilometers) in 5 hours and 47 minutes and
I was stuffed,” confessed Tom

The success gave him a great sense of accomplishment but he was equally pleased with all the generous people who kindly put their hand in their pockets to donate for the row a thon. “On the day I collected $400.00, but the money just kept coming in from friends and family after the row, so by the time it was all in and counted it came to $1,200.00. I stayed in bed all the next day, Saturday but by Sunday I thought I could have done the same again,” reflected Tom.

Tom is now looking for new challenges which may include tandem parachute jumps

Ross Flood
rflood@cpsociety.org.nz