Saving lives is all in a day’s work for Bruce ‘Hoppo’ Hopkins and Anthony ‘Harries’ Carroll of Network Ten’s Bondi Rescue. But, on Sunday 18 January they’ll swap the swimmers for jocks for the 2015 People’s Choice Undies Run for Bowel Cancer to help those in need.
Australia’s cheekiest fun run on Sunday 18 January through the streets of Adelaide’s east end will certainly be something different for the boys of Bondi, who are both proud Undies Run ambassadors.
“Working on the beach, I’m always in swimwear – the last time I wore undies I was 17! So if I’m going to wear them again I want it to be for a good cause like the Undies Run,” said Hoppo.
“Before I joined the Undies Run team, I didn’t own any underwear, but now I’m the proud owner of lifesaving undies and I can’t wait to show them off in Adelaide next month,” he laughed.
With 100,000 spectators, a ready-made 1.7km racing arena and more than 1,500 runners decked out in matching underwear, the run is held just before the People’s Choice Classic opening race of the Santos Tour Down Under cycling event.
People’s Choice Credit Union has partnered with Cancer Council SA since 2013 for this fun event with a serious message and has raised $280,000 to help fund bowel cancer activities including screening test kit subsidies, research into bowel cancer and treatment and support for people suffering the disease.
The purpose of the Undies Run is to raise funds and awareness for bowel cancer screening, and reduce the embarrassment associated with it. The Undies Run challenges people to strip down to their underwear and run, jog or walk to help show that that has got to be way more embarrassing than a simple test.
“Yes, it’s a little embarrassing to run around in front of 100,000 people in your undies, but I think it would be more embarrassing in front of just one or two… So we need all the undies runners we can get on 18 January!” said Harries.
“It’s a big part of my life to help people, and the Undies Run does just that by raising awareness of bowel cancer and the importance of screening,” he said
“It’s so important to do whatever we can to get information out there, and to get as many people as we can involved in the fight against this disease.”
Bowel cancer is the country’s second-most commonly diagnosed cancer, killing 4,000 Australians each year. But, early detection and treatment can significantly increase the chances of survival, with up to 90% of bowel cancers treatable if detected early.
What: 2015 People’s Choice Undies Run for Bowel Cancer
When: 5:00pm on Sunday, 18 January 2015
Where: Rymill Park, Adelaide, South Australia
Register: undiesrun.com.au
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