Raising legacy funds through CrossFit

The gym held two fundraising workouts for Legacy on Anzac Day in remembrance of an Australian soldier killed in action in Afghanistan in 2011.

The soldier, Ash Birt, was a mate of Benton Gym owner, Ben Garard, who once served in the Australian Army himself.

Seventeen Benton CrossFitters and 25 Benton Bootcampers of all ages attended the memorial workouts at the gym in Braemar and at the school hall at Renwick.

The workouts raised a total of $516 for Legacy, which is the chosen charity of Ash Birt’s family.

Legacy looks after the welfare of families of deceased soldiers.

The workout dedicated to Ash Birt involved multiple rounds of running, burpees, sit ups and barbell thrusters.

Ben Garard handed over the raised funds to Legacy Berrima President John Jones on April 26.

“Our Benton Gym community ran the two workouts to pay our respect to my good mate Ash and to all the Anzacs, especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country,” Ben Garard said.

“Ash will forever be in my heart and he has kept me strong through the toughest of times. I think it’s great to bring our gym community together like this to make a contribution as a whole to something that is beyond ourselves.

“It was also an expression of gratitude that we can use our bodies in this great country of ours that so many Anzacs have served to protect. We were also keen to highlight the wonderful work Legacy does to look after the families left behind.”

Legacy Berrima branch president John Jones said the organisation appreciated the initiative shown by the gym.

“We will ensure the funds go towards our work in looking after the widows and dependents of deceased servicemen,” he said.

“I think there’s a growing awareness of the need to help these families, which is evidenced by these fundraising events organised by Benton Gym.”