Running man: Brett Spargo with children River, 8, and Billie, 5, following his first marathon in December 2021.
Seymour man Brett Spargo is putting on his running shoes and doing his bit to support loved ones touched by cancer.
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Ready for the Melbourne Marathon in two weeks’ time, Mr Spargo is ramping up his fundraising efforts for the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre.
After rediscovering running in 2016 and embarking on a healthy lifestyle change, Mr Spargo began the journey of using his newfound fitness for a good cause.
He said after visiting Peter Mac with his loved ones and seeing people living with cancer, his mind turned to what he could do to help.
“Seeing what the guys at Peter Mac do is the reason I thought I could do more than sit around,” he said.
Last year, on the verge of giving up running following the cancellation of many events due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr Spargo redirected his energy to running for charity, raising funds for Peter Mac.
He said Peter Mac allowed patients to access various services all at the one place without lengthy waiting times.
“What I’ve seen there opened my eyes up. We were an hour from Melbourne but there are people travelling three or four hours,” he said.
“To be able to come into a hospital, get an x-ray, blood test, cat scan all in one day is amazing.
“People haven’t got time to be spending hours and hours in hospital waiting, they need to get on with their fight.”
Mr Spargo hopes the money he raises goes towards equipment for regional hospitals or research for future treatments.
Along with the support of friends and family, particularly his father, Mr Spargo’s kids are his main motivation.
“I thought I’ve got to do something for these kids and myself to get more out of life, so I owe it to my kids for pushing me to do this,” he said.
“To see my kids at the finish line and holding up signs, wanting to be like Dad one day, it means the world to me.”
Mr Spargo finished last year’s Melbourne Marathon in three hours, two minutes and 58 seconds. Inspired to crack the three-hour mark, he set his eyes on this year’s marathon in two weeks’ time.
His preparation has included events like the Great Ocean Road Marathon and Run Melbourne, which he believes will stand him in good stead for the race.
He is hoping to run between two hours and 50 minutes and two hours and 55 minutes.
Alongside his goal of setting personal bests, Mr Spargo also has a fundraising goal for the upcoming run.
“I’d like to reach $1000, the same as my goal for Run Melbourne,” he said.
“Reaching out to the community through sporting clubs and the community page, now I’ve raised $600 in four days.
“I love raising money for Peter Mac and I’ll continue to do it as long as I am entering into running events.”
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