Commando Steve and 200 men, women and children started the weekend with a fitness boot camp at University of Wollongong on Saturday to help Dr Justin Yerbury's research at IHMRI.
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Steve Willis donated his time for the Go Commando workout supporting research into Motor Neurone Disease (MND) at the Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute.
Known as Commando from The Biggest Loser his appearance helped the event be a sellout and raise $6,000 a year for the research being done at IHMRI by researchers including Dr Yerbury who was recently recognised as Wollongong Citizen of the Year.
The weekend event hosted by UOW UniActive and UOW UniLife was something positive for the Wollongong scientist after being denied access to board a Royal Caribbean cruise to New Caledonia with family members in early March.
"We asked Commando if he would come and do it and he was more than happy to for charity," Rachael Ayre said.
"We are not making any money from this. We are running it for the purpose of the charity.
"It has been a really good activity for the community. The workout has been great. It started out with people learning basic technique before getting into anything too intense so it has been a really good all rounded workout".
Ms Ayre said some of those present know Dr Yerbury personally or worked with him at IHMRI.
They included Lyndel Hayes who was part of a large group.
"We are all from the Illawarra Health Medical Research Institute where Justin is. We are all researchers or office team staff," she said.
"The money raised is going to Justin's research which is great.
"He thinks this is amazing. He is always so grateful for this kind of community support".
Prof Yerbury is a world renowned molecular biologist who has conducted extensive research over the last decade to help find a cure for motor neurone disease. He has continued that work since being diagnosed with the degenerative condition three years ago.
Commando Steve so he was only too happy to donate his time to help the Wollongong community with such a great cause.
"I think it is extremely important to raise awareness especially with Motor Neurone Disease and raising funds to go into research," Steve Willis said.
"At the same time it builds connections around health and wellbeing. Because the more we can look after our health it is a preventative measure that also builds resilience and fortitude.
"Collectively with something like this people engage and they have fun. There is so much more value we can add".
More photos to come.
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Greg Ellis
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
