Loving Clapham fitness coach Harri doing thousands of burpees for mum who died days ago
For most of us doing a handful of burpees is hard work.
Fitness coach Harri Pereira plans to complete 2,590 of them without stopping this Saturday (13 February), to raise awareness of ovarian cancer a week after losing his mother to the disease.
Harri chose this number to represent 35% of 7,400.
According to Cancer Research UK, 35%* of women with ovarian cancer survive 10 years or more, while 7,400** women are diagnosed with the disease each year (canceresearchuk.org).
The burpee marathon is just the first of 12 fitness challenges the 25-year-old from Clapham, is setting himself in 2021, in memory of his late mother Michaela and fundraising for the ovarian cancer support charity Ovacome.
Michaela, who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer eight years ago, died last week aged 56. She remains a huge inspiration for Harri, who is planning to base each challenge on a key ovarian cancer statistic, something he hopes will encourage discussion of the disease and its symptoms.
Harri admits that trying to do 2,590 burpees — a squatting and jumping exercise that targets the core, shoulders, upper back, glutes and quads — within his target five hours will be tough. But he says he is fit and ready.
“Making my Mum proud was always my motivation,” said Harri. “Now, without her by my side, it’ll be tough, but she carved values into me that have allowed me to thrive in these situations.
“I’m determined to leave my mark on the world, just like my Mum has with people she’s emotionally touched and influenced. By doing these challenges, I’m hoping to raise awareness for ovarian cancer, mental and physical potential, and, most importantly, a robust and positive mindset,” he added.
“I am always fit and in a strong position to train in any modality but I was set back by the gyms closing in November. However, a few weeks ago, I managed 1,200 burpees in just over two hours, so if I can keep up that pace for most of the time I will be able to slow down at the end.”
The problem with ovarian cancer is that many of its symptoms — including bloating and abdominal pain — can easily be brushed aside as being nothing serious and as in Harri’s mother’s case can be quite vague.
“She knew that something was not right,” said Harri.
“We need to take extra care of the women in our life, emphasise the fact that this cancer exists and should be thoroughly checked.If you think your body is trying to tell you something, don’t believe you are being dramatic or paranoid by seeing an expert.”
Next Harri is planning:
- To run a marathon wearing a 20 kilo weighted vest around the Battersea Park track.
- To rope climb the equivalent distance of Dubai’s Burj Khalifa.
- To complete a “crazy” but undecided distance on a SkiErg cardio machine when gyms re-open.
- A 12-hour workout in a gym
- And a monster pull-up session.
Harri, who founded and runs the Fundamental Fitness Academy Ltd, says he hopes that his endeavours will also show the benefits of a ‘show up’ mentality to exercise. “I truly believe that everyone has an inner athlete in them and the capability of doing more a lot of time than their limiting beliefs will allow them to achieve. I am just a normal guy who believes,” he said.
To donate, go to: ovacome.org.uk/fundraisers/12-in-12-for-our-women
Or support #Ovacome12in12 on Instagram — at Harri_pereira and Facebook — Harri Pereira
Everyone at the South London Press thanks you for your continued support.
Former Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick has encouraged everyone in the country who can afford to do so to buy a newspaper, and told the Downing Street press briefing:
“A FREE COUNTRY NEEDS A FREE PRESS, AND THE NEWSPAPERS OF OUR COUNTRY ARE UNDER SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL PRESSURE”
If you can afford to do so, we would be so grateful if you can make a donation which will allow us to continue to bring stories to you, both in print and online. Or please make cheques payable to “MSI Media Limited” and send by post to South London Press, Unit 112, 160 Bromley Road, Catford, London SE6 2NZ