Pushing her cause

By Danielle Galvin
FITNESS fanatic and gym owner Karenne Gregory recently raised over $2000 for Make-A-Wish Australia.
Karenne owns the Upper Beaconsfield Shape Shifters Health and Fitness, one of 50 health clubs, personal training studios and fitness boot camps across Australia holding Push-ups for Charity. Karenne says the goal of the charity event was important in more ways than one.
“We wanted to help Australian children facing life-threatening medical conditions and to get the local community moving”.
Karenne got involved through a company she works with, Fit for Profit in Perth, who support the initiative. Karenne has a soft spot for the charity, having been involved when her sister was national manager 15 years ago.
“I absolutely have a special place for Make-A-Wish. I used to be an integration aide for a boy who had muscular dystrophy and he was granted a wish from the foundation.”
Karenne decided to get involved and managed to get 11 people to participate in the event.
“For every push-up a participant did, a sponsor would have to match their effort between fifty cents and a dollar,” she said.
After the workout, volunteers and participants enjoyed a sausage sizzle. Karenne says it was great fun and says there was lots of laughter. The motivated health professional is already looking forward to the next event, in either November of this year or in May 2012.
“It was a lot of work but everyone really enjoyed it and people were laughing along”.
Carol Henzen is the fund-raising co-ordinator for the Cardinia-Casey branch of Make-A-Wish. She says Karenne did a great job.
“It turned out to be a social event, and everyone who came along was really friendly.”
The event is in its second year and Carol has high hopes for the future.
“Next time we would love to get schools on board, and also let more of the community in Upper Beaconsfield know about the event.”
Collectively the clubs and studios hope to raise nearly $200,000 for Make-A-Wish Australia.