Like his famous namesake Forrest Gump, Berkeley man Forrest lives by an adage passed down from his mother.
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While Gump’s mother likened life to a box of chocolates, the Illawarra Cancer Council volunteer’s inherited mantra has fostered in him a passion for helping others.
Over the past 17 years, he’s been part of most every fundraising event run by the charity – from Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea to Relay for Life.
He’s colours his trademark long, white beard pink for Cancer Council’s Pink Ribbon campaign; yellow for Daffodil Day and purple for the 24-hour Relay event.
And he pitches in in other ways – offering giving locals battling cancer a lift to treatment or mowing their lawns while they’re in hospital.
“I was always taught from an early age by my mum that it doesn’t hurt to smile, to say hello and to help someone,” Forrest said. “So that’s how I live my life.”
He won’t reveal his real name, preferring to stick to the moniker he landed around a quarter of a century ago after he started running a series of ultra marathons – again for charity.
“I started running with (Illawarra ultra marathon runner) Dave Taylor and with the running – and the beard – people started calling me Forrest and it just stuck,” he said.
“I ran to raise funds for many different causes, including to raise money to help those battling cancer.
“Then I started volunteering for the Cancer Council, and the people here have become like family to me.”
Forrest is one of six million Australian volunteers being acknowledged during National Volunteer Week, which carries the theme ‘Give a little. Change a lot’.
Cancer Council southern region spokesman Grant Plecas said there were 350 regular volunteers in the region.
“Our organisation wouldn’t function without the support of our volunteers – they’re the backbone of what we do and achieve in our community,” he said.
“People like Forrest who support us for such a long time are invaluable as they understand our organisation and are a trusted and respected part of the community.
“Cancer Council appreciates and congratulates our volunteers every week, but National Volunteer Week gives us a great opportunity to show just how much they mean to us.”