Local emergency doctor, Ash Bowden, also known as Doctor Do More, helped raise over $100,000 during September for Cancer Council Central Coast.
Bowden’s #MoveAgainstCancer initiative aimed to encourage people to take as many steps as possible in September, both individually and in teams, to win prizes.
In just four weeks, 818 participants completed over 190 million steps and raised a total of $101,176, a feat Bowden said would be hard to beat next year.
“It is the second year we have run the #MoveAgainstCancer step challenge,” he said.
“I am so impressed with how many people got involved and how much money we raised.
“The community have been so generous considering the pandemic and the hardship it has caused so many.
“This pandemic has caused so much stress and anxiety …with the loss of incomes and so much uncertainty.
“Getting outside and staying active massively helps your headspace, helping us to stay positive as we move forward.”
Community Relations Coordinator for Cancer Council Central Coast, Jaynie Moloney, worked closely with Bowden and said she was overwhelmed with the community’s kindness.
“Raising $100,000 is a massive achievement and it will have a profound impact on the cancer patients who need it the most,” Moloney said.
“As well as the positive health benefits gained from those participating, the funds raised will support local cancer patients and fund critical research.”
For the last three years, Bowden said he had been on a mission to inspire people to move more to improve their health and happiness.
His main initiative has been creating an ‘Exercise Search Engine’, which showcases all the businesses and community groups in his region that get people moving in any way, shape, or form.
“Moving more has unbelievable benefits on your health – reduced risk of cancers, reduced risk of cardiorespiratory disease, improved cognition and more. Importantly, it has a huge impact on our mental health, something we all need right now,” he said.
“Do More is about improving health and happiness through physical activity.
“My own experience with exercise and research into the effects of physical activity on health shows an incredible relationship between the two.
“The goal is as simple as increasing the amount of movement we do and I’m confident this will improve health.”
Over 10 local businesses supported #MoveAgainstCancer by donating prizes to be given to the winners of the five categories.
Maisy Rae