A Manifold Heights gym is raising funds for a domestic violence prevention charity inundated with calls for help during COVID-19.
Gym owner and Mount Duneed father-of-two Joel Dean has joined his parent company 9Round’s campaign to raise $10,000 for RizeUp by donating up to $15 for everyone who signs up to its four-week challenge.
“It’s a great foundation,” Joel said.
“[Domestic violence has] definitely risen with COVID and people being in lockdown.”
According to RizeUp, COVID-19 has heightened the threat of domestic violence for many at-risk Australians, due to loss of income, working from home, home-schooling and disconnect from social networks.
The not-for-profit has experienced a 20 per cent increase in calls during the pandemic.
As well as supporting a good cause and reducing the stigma of reporting domestic violence, Joel hoped to sign up some new members through the initiative too.
“If you get them in and they love it, they want to stay,” he said.
The four-week challenge includes meal plans, exercises and challenges designed for each individual participant.
“Everyone’s different. We’ll ask, ‘what are your goals?’ and tailor that to their needs,” Joel said.
Joel spoke to the Independent in late October about his relief as eased restrictions allowed gyms to reopen.
“If you own a gym, you want to care about your members,” he said.
“You’ve got members that rely on you for an outlet.”
Under current COVID-19 restrictions gyms can operate with a maximum 50 people indoors, with four square metres for each person.
Details: 9round.com.au
