Sixty-one-year-old Bluff resident, Lawrence Chislett, has called on all able-bodied men to join him in the next Hollard’s Daredevil Run in support of raising awareness around prostate and testicular cancer.
The Daredevil Run aims to create awareness and highlight the “devilish” impact that the disease has on each sufferer. It calls on all men to have the guts to run in their purple branded speedos to garner support from the public. The run will take place at Ansteys Beach on 15 October and Chislett will be running from the Ansteys Beach paddle ponds to Brighton Beach which is roughly 2km in distance. Chislett said: “I was dared to do my first Daredevil Run in my speedo in March 2015. The reason why we place so much emphasis on the speedo is because it attracts attention as we run along the beach. It’s daring and outrageous which is what we aim to use as a means to create awareness about the ‘devilish’ effects of prostate and testicular cancer in men. As I run, I will also stop to hand out flyers regarding the fight against cancer.”
Chislett said he jumped at the opportunity to make a difference to all cancer sufferers, survivors and remissions. He said it takes guts to walk into a public area as a 61-year-old wearing a brightly-coloured speedo, but he does it to create awareness for a cause that affects so many men globally. This daredevil said his motivation came in the form of a family friend known to him only as “Ivan”, who sadly lost his fight against prostate cancer a few years ago. Chislett remembers Ivan fondly as a great fisherman, a supportive friend to his father and an inspiration to all fishermen. “I watched as Ivan stood up and fought the good fight against this killer disease. He was such an inspiration to everyone who knew him. I dedicate this run to his life and his memory so it’s befitting that this run will take place on the beach,” he said.
In preparation for the Daredevil Run challenge, Chislett said he will be removing all the hair on his body to create the chemo effect that all cancer sufferers go through so they don’t feel alone. After the run, Chislett invites the public and spectators to gather around the Ansteys paddle ponds to form a circle in honour of those who lost their battle to cancer as well as family and friends who wish to join the circle in remembrance of their loved ones that have passed on, no matter what the cause of death. The daredevil said: “I only have one message to spread and that is to all cancer sufferers, survivors and remissions, this daredevil supports you so come on down and join me on 15 October at 3.30pm at Ansteys Beach.” Runners can still register for the run and they will receive a couriered Daredevil pack which includes a branded purple speedo, water bottle, purple mask, fundraising band, logistics for the day and important cancer awareness information. For more information and online registrations, call Lawrence Chislett on 078-642-8203.
