Update: More Funds for Australian Bushfires

Heavy rain and thunderstorms have moved into the eastern states of Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland, having the combined effect of dousing some of the blazes in the region while causing widespread flooding and power outages. We are continuing our coverage of the CrossFit community’s efforts to provide resources and support for the agencies and organizations battling this disaster. 

Making the most of Mayhem: Former Games Athlete Brandon Swan sold off what’s arguably a money-can’t-buy piece of CrossFit memorabilia to raise cash for Australian Bushfire relief.

• The Australian athlete–who placed 13th at the Mayhem Classic–sold a signed jersey from the event for $2,000 AUD. The jersey was signed by Fittest Man and Woman on Earth Mat Fraser and Tia-Clair Toomey, as well as more than a dozen other top-tier athletes including Rich Froning, Dan Bailey and Josh Bridges.
• Brandon Swan said: “I wanted to do something for the bushfires and it was a unique opportunity with the amount of people that were at the Mayhem Classic.”
• Congrats to Ryan James who claimed the prize and chose to donate the cash to one of the state’s firefighting services.  

Khan Porter, Swan’s teammate from the 2019 Games, wrote his own Hero WOD, “Heart,” which members at his gym CrossFit Play completed over the weekend, raising more than $1, 000 (and counting). Other boxes around the globe are participating as well.  

NOBULL capped off a massive philanthropic weekend, donating $20,000 on behalf of athlete Tia-Clair Toomey to WIRES, Wildlife Rescue.

• The brand posted to its social media: “Australia, we are with you.”

We’ve been closely monitoring the Burpees for Bushfire fundraiser since its inception. At a dollar per burpee, 29 gyms from around the world united to raise more than $45,966–that’s a lot of cash and a lot of fitness.

• Organizer Brent Duffy said: “This is Community. CrossFit should replace the word community in the dictionary.”

Special shout out also goes to Crossfit Navitas in Dublin, Ireland which managed to help a member raise over $10,000 for the Bushfire relief.

• Member Sally Sheridan is an Aussie living in Dublin who did 1500 burpees to raise the cash. She couldn’t believe the amount of support she received: “I was blown away and totally humbled by the outpouring of generosity and spirit and support. It was an experience I will never forget,” she told the Morning Chalk Up.