The Gold Coast Bulletin

ROBERT HAS A PASSION FOR LIFE

- KATE PARASKEVOS WITH KATE PARASKEVOS

ROBERT Kendall has already jumped out of a plane with his friend’s ashes on his back.

Now the cancer fighter is running his first 21km half marathon at the age of 81 after getting a new lease of life.

The Australian Cancer Research Foundation is a charity very dear to Mr Kendall’s heart and one of the items on his bucket list is to raise $10,000 for cancer research.

Mr Kendall has so far raised $7582 of his $10,000 goal and is hoping to raise the rest by running the half marathon this Sunday.

And he has had some rather inventive ways of raising the money so far.

On his 76th birthday, after losing a friend to brain cancer, Mr Kendall jumped out of an aeroplane with his mate’s ashes strapped to him in order to raise money.

The thrillseek­er also went on his first rollercoas­ter ride on the Green Lantern at Movie World, followed by a high trapeze swing, some scooter rides and the Q1 stair climb.

“I have a passion for life and want to live life to the fullest,” he said.

“I like to get out, have fun and stay physically active.

“I am determined to help find the cures for cancer for the future of our children, grandchild­ren and great grandchild­ren”.

Mr Kendall’s journey with cancer began back in 1995, when it was discovered Mr Kendall had advanced stage of bowel cancer during a routine medical exam.

He was immediatel­y admitted to hospital where testing found he had just one litre of blood in his body and required 26 hours of blood transfusio­ns followed by an operation.

At the time, doctors gave Mr Kendall a 15 per cent chance of surviving the operation to which Mr Kendall replied, “don’t worry, I’ll be back, I’ve got too much to do” as he went under anaestheti­c.

Since his diagnoses, he has worked to raise awareness and funds for the Australian Cancer Research Foundation while also spending his time at the Gold Coast Turf Club six days a week working with the horses.

Visit https://give.everydayhe­ro.com/au/oldmansmom­ent to donate.

I AM DETERMINED TO HELP FIND THE CURES FOR CANCER ROBERT KENDALL

 ?? Picture: JASON O'BRIEN ?? Robert Kendall , 81, is preparing for the half marathon at Broadwater Parklands.
Picture: JASON O'BRIEN Robert Kendall , 81, is preparing for the half marathon at Broadwater Parklands.
 ??  ??

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Australia